Axe of the Blood God: An RPG Podcast

"It was the best of times and everyone was like, 'this rules'" or however the book goes.This week, Eric, Nadia, Victor, and special guest Kevin Bunch are reflecting on what the best years for RPGs were, with the rules surrounding that discussion evolving in real time. Is it something in the late 90s for the sheer quantity of interesting, experimental RPGs, is the year Persona 5 single-handedly invented jazz and made JRPGs good again, or is it 1994 for being the year Final Fantasy VI came out. All this and so, so much more on this episode of Axe of the Blood God! Subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at ⁠https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod⁠ and get merch at ⁠https://shop.bloodgodpod.com⁠ Also in this episode: Games Done Quick Appreciation Star Fox Final Fantasy VII Ever Crisis closes but drops Before Crisis story Megami Tensei: Digital Devil Story in English Timestamps: 11:18 - Main Topic - Best Year For RPGs 1:11:44 - Random Encounters 1:20:36 - Tavern - Eric's GDQ Adventure, 1:41:36 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook Music Used in this Episode: Axe of the Blood God Theme - [Lena Raine] Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III] Pub - [Lunar Knights] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] Hammerhead - [Final Fantasy XV] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sony has announced the death of the game disc. What does this mean for the future of second-hand games, game preservation, game sharing, game access, and a million other things that this is going to have an effect on? Well, Nadia, Eric, and Victor are joined by collector, historian, retailer, writer, and a million other things, Kelsey Lewin (@kelslewin.bsky.social) to discuss precisely that! Apologies for the lower-than-usual quality of Kelsey's audio! It was an anomaly and we made do with the cruel hand fate dealt us! Subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at ⁠https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod⁠ and get merch at ⁠https://shop.bloodgodpod.com⁠ Also in this episode: Deltarune Chapter 5 The Summer of Sakura Wars Timestamps: 13:24 - Main Topic - The End of Playstation Discs 1:04:32 - Random Encounters 1:20:08 - Tavern - Deltarune Chapter 5, Paranormasight: The Mermaid's Curse, Rhythm Heaven Groove 1:41:36 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook Music Used in this Episode: Axe of the Blood God Theme - [Lena Raine] Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III] Pub - [Lunar Knights] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] Theme of PARANORMASIGHT - [PARANORMASIGHT] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nadia has spent more time with Elliot and we're joined by Matt Sowinski to discuss once-and-for-all if Adventures of Elliot makes for a good video game. Victor has been diving into Dragon Quest X. All that and so much more on this increasingly Canadian episode of Axe of the Blood God! Subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at ⁠https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod⁠ and get merch at ⁠https://shop.bloodgodpod.com⁠Note: Microsoft and the Xbox brand remain subjects of the BDS (Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions) movement for their complicity in the ongoing apartheid and genocide of Palestine. Visit https://www.bdsmovement.net/microsoft for more information. Also in this episode: Xenoblade's Nopon problem McDonalds' secret menu Victor discovers that no one actually knows the names of any Mana games Timestamps: 12:30 - Main Topic - Adventures of Elliot Review 48:32 - Mana Series 35th Anniversary Celebration! 1:04:02 - Random Encounters 1:24:00 - Tavern - Xenoblade, Dragon Quest X 1:40:56 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook Music Used in this Episode: Axe of the Blood God Theme - [Lena Raine] Faerie Battle - [Final Fantasy IX] Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] Grasslands of Eternity - [Children of Mana] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Drive your old man's convertible out to lover's leap with your crush because it's time for a steamy neck-fest; all the neckin' you can handle but nothing past first base!And once you've driven your date home by curfew it's time for Steam Next Fest!There are a ton of RPGs to sift through so Victor is saving you some of the hassle! Then once you've had enough of his questionable taste in games, Nadia is here to tell you all about The Adventures of Elliot: The Millenium Tales! A terrible name to be sure, but is the game much better? Listen to find out on this steamy episode of Axe of the Blood God! Also, I think I say Veritas Tales has 600 illustrations? It's actually 300+. Oops! Subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at ⁠https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod⁠ and get merch at ⁠https://shop.bloodgodpod.com⁠ Also in this episode: R-Type Tactics is finally here Final Fantasy Tactics gets a new patch What is the role of a review? And is it rude to be mean? Phantasy Star Online 2's AI chatbot survey: https://pso2.com/players/news/i_20260617_2/ Timestamps: 12:44 - Main Topic - Victor's Next Fest RPG Demo-palooza 17:32 - Veritas Tales: Witch of the Dark Castle 28:16 - Apathema 42:00 - Rizz Dungeon: Skeleton Key to My Heart 52:28 - Culdcept The First 53:28 - LarsGadiel 1:02:02 - Random Encounters 1:09:30 - Tavern - Nadia's Adventures of Elliot: The Millenium Tales Impressions 1:45:24 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook Music Used in this Episode: Axe of the Blood God Theme - [Lena Raine] Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] Every Day Is Night - [VA-11 HALL-A] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nintendo's Summer Direct has come and gone, and with it a slew of announcements. Upgrades we expected, leaks we saw coming, and some exciting news that blindsided us all! Nadia, Eric, and Victor gather to discuss what we should be excited about and what has left us wanting. All that and more on this episode of Axe of the Blood God! Subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at ⁠https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod⁠ and get merch at ⁠https://shop.bloodgodpod.com⁠ Also in this episode: Why Shadow the Hedgehog is a Good Game Should we be worried about Kingdom Hearts? Muramasa is baaaaack Why on God's green Earth are we remaking Ocarina of Time? Timestamps: 9:56 - Main Topic - Nintendo Direct 9:56 - Xenoblade Genesis 18:28 - Pokopis Expansion Pass 24:28 - Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave 31:08 - Final Fantasy Resonance 49:52 - Tales of Eternia Remastered 54:40 - Atelier Karia 58:40 - The Duskbloods 1:02:04 - Dragon Quest Monsters: The Withered World 1:07:20 - Kingdom Hearts 1:21:44 - The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 1:35:20 - Random Encounters 1:45:24 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook Music Used in this Episode: Axe of the Blood God Theme - [Lena Raine] Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] Duel! - [Final Fantasy Brave Exvius] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

ummer feels like it starts earlier and earlier every year. Is it climate change or because all the hottest games are arriving at Summer Games Fest?!Nadia, Victor, and special guest Lucas White are here to drop all the spiciest takes on the biggest games and the dorkiest hosts in this pre-equinoctial episode of Axe of the Blood God!! Subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at ⁠https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod⁠ and get merch at ⁠https://shop.bloodgodpod.com⁠ Also in this episode: Visit the Vancouver Game Garden June 13th and 14th! https://vangamegarden.com/ Dancing Mad with Kefka Nadia sees The Amazing Digital Circus Timestamps: 5:20 - Summer Games Fest Announcements 14:40 - Virtua Fighter 18:56 - Guild Wars 3 24:00 - Star Wars Zero Company 26:28 - Monster Hunter Wilds: Ascension 28:16 - Stellar Blade: Blood Rain 31:24 - Street Fighter VI 34:16 - Stranger Than Heaven 50:00 - Final Fantasy VII Revelation 1:28:08 - The Tavern - Mina, The Amazing Digital Circus, Starbites, Atelier Marie, Final Fantasy XIV's latest Ultimate Raid; Kefka's UMAD 1:57:04 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook Music Used in this Episode: Axe of the Blood God Theme - [Lena Raine] Pub - [Lunar Knights] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] Brandished Blade - [Atelier Sophie 2] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Summer Games Fest is nearly upon us and Eric will be in attendance. What do we expect to see and why does Keighley control so much of what we are expected to care about? Nadia's been playing Mina the Hollower, Victor has a one-two punch of Y2K a e s t h e t i c games, and every one has some level of experience with James Bond, junior or otherwise, all on this freshly-picked rosy episode of Axe of the Blood God! Subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at ⁠https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod⁠ and get merch at ⁠https://shop.bloodgodpod.com⁠ Also in this episode: Visit the Vancouver Game Garden June 13th and 14th! https://vangamegarden.com/ Restoring an abandoned house in the Japanese countryside with https://www.youtube.com/@maigomika A new Sakura Wars stage show has been announced! The sacred Gen X IPs that turn our brains off immediately Automaton Heart Labyrinth.os Dissida Duellum Update Timestamps: 14:28 - Summer Games Fest Predictions 49:28 - Random Encounters? 57:08 - Random Encounters 1:10:24 - The Tavern - Mina the Hollower, Automaton Heart, Labyrinth.os, Dissidia Duellum, 007 First Light 1:42:56 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook Music Used in this Episode: Axe of the Blood God Theme - [Lena Raine] Faerie Battle - [Final Fantasy IX] Pub - [Lunar Knights] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] Alchemists on a Ship - [Atelier Shallie] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Reunited at last and it feels so good.Eric returns to complete the Hydra of the Blood God and before any of our heads can be lopped off we gotta talk about what we've been playing lately. Zero Parades: For Dead Spies, Pokopia, Tokimeki Memorial 2, Final Fantasy XI's anniversary, and so much more on this episode of Axe of the Blood God! Subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at ⁠https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod⁠ and get merch at ⁠https://shop.bloodgodpod.com⁠ Also in this episode: Remembering ball pits No kings, yes queens Nadia's K-pit Timestamps: 10:16 - Main Topic - Trails in the Sky 24:24 - Pokopia 35:24 - Tokimeki Memorial 2 EVS Append Discs 42:24 - Zero Parades: For Dead Spies 1:05:20 - Final Fantasy XI 24th Anniversary 1:12:16 - Random Encounters - Destiny 2 1:20:48 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook Music Used in this Episode: Axe of the Blood God Theme - [Lena Raine] Hometown Domina - Jazz Arrange- - [Legend of Mana] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Something's coming, something good -- a podcast all about musicals, RPGs, musical RPGs, and RPG musicals. Featuring a uniquely qualified guest; director of People of Note, Jason Wishnov! He joins Victor and Nadia as they talk about the parallels of these two "love-it-or-hate-it" mediums and how to transpose the world of musical theatre into digital space. All that and more on this episode of Axe of the Blood God! Subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at ⁠https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod⁠ and get merch at ⁠https://shop.bloodgodpod.com⁠ Also in this episode: The thing that holds up great music AND great RPGs: math! What musicals would make great RPGs What RPGs would make great musicals Eternal Sonata, Rhapsody, Tokyo Mirage Sessions, Final Fantasy X-2, Final Fantasy XIV, and many others Timestamps: It's just all interview, man Music Used in this Episode: Axe of the Blood God Theme - [Lena Raine] Whirls Generation - Big Giant Circles - [People of Note] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We're going to the only place where people can agree on what an RPG is... SPACE!Victor and Nadia, with a little help from the listeners, discuss their favourite RPGs set in space, RPGs that feature space stages, and RPGs that feature space travel regardless of how much of the game is played in the void of space. Three very important distinctions. All that and pretty much just that on this out-of-this-world episode of Axe of the Blood God. Except we don't discuss the game Out of This World because we all agree, not an RPG. Right? Subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at ⁠https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod⁠ and get merch at ⁠https://shop.bloodgodpod.com⁠ Also in this episode: What does space mean to us? The After Years Appreciation When does a game NEED to be set in space? Live-A-Live's perfect chapter We love people from The Moon Xenosaga, Bravely Second, Star Ocean, Phantasy Star, the most anyone has discussed Lunar Knights, and so many more games! Timestamps: 8:48 - Main Topic - RPGs in space! 54:13 - Random Encounters 1:34:16 - Community Mailbag 1:40:20 - Nadia’s Nostalgia Nook Music Used in this Episode: Axe of the Blood God Theme - [Lena Raine] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] Laplace [Lunar Knights] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Victor is back from Final Fantasy XIV Fan Fest in Anaheim and he brought a lot of thoughts and even more interviews from listeners, friends of the show, friends of himself, and new friends! Look forward to appearances from Harper Jay, Fusionx, CrystAAHHL, and many more! It's an honourary episode of Sharlayan Dropouts as Victor and Nadia discuss what they're excited about from the announcements of EverCold, and why the Blood God has the best community around. Look, I know the sound on this one might be off in some spots; I made a lot of work for myself. But I hope you can forgive some sound quality for what I think is a wonderful cross-section of our community. I had a wonderful time making this episode and I hope you enjoy listening whether you're a Final Fantasy XIV or XI player or not. Subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at ⁠https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod⁠ and get merch at ⁠https://shop.bloodgodpod.com⁠ Also in this episode: Fusionx and 20 years of podcasting about Final Fantasy MMOs EmUnArum and the importance of Final Fantasy XI Many, many interviews with wonderful people If you never warmed up to XIV's combat, EverCold might have what you want We just scratch the surface of new character customization options like Action Skins Timestamps: 6:08 - Main Topic 11:08 - Harper Jay not quite predicting the expansion title 25:28 - CrystAAHHL being absolutely delightful 32:20 - Fusionx on podcasting for 20 years 1:03:16 - Ash Paulsen on not knowing anything about FFXIV 1:04:58 - Derek Heemsbergen and I busting each other's chops like true friends 1:15:44 - Em on the Importance of Final Fantasy XI 1:31:28 - Sena Bryer being the most charming person on the planet 1:41:12 - Axe of the Blood God / Sharlayan Dropouts Community Meet-Up And that's it, man. It's aaaall XIV talk today. Music Used in this Episode: Axe of the Blood God Theme - [Lena Raine] Ride the Rhythm - [The Primals - Dark Decades - Final Fantasy XIV] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Eric is joined by guest Austin Walker on a solo run to discuss Austin's upcoming TTRPG Realis. Topics include: Viewing Realis through the Shonen lens, (or Boss Babying Realis, if you prefer). World-building in a tabletop space vs game dev space. The art of creating a bunch of freaky little guys for your players to spec into. Contribute to the Kickstarter for Realis, (up until April 30,) or preorder it here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/crum/realis Subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at ⁠https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod⁠ and get merch at ⁠https://shop.bloodgodpod.com⁠ Also in this episode: An Xbox rebrand of sorts Clair Obscur celebrates its one year anniversary with a free haircut update Sega promises the return of “many Sega series” in 2026. (Sakura Wars??) The Expanse: Osiris previews are out The Elden Ring movie confirms some of its cast  Final Fantasy XIV Fanfest is underway! Lots to talk about, and we’ll get more in-depth about this later Eric's island of freaky little guys and women who are mean  Timestamps: 9:18 - Main Topic 52:45 Random encounters 1:10:36 The Tavern Music Used in this Episode: Axe of the Blood God Theme - [Lena Raine] Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III] Pub - [Lunar Knights] The Boy in Green (Hunter x Hunter) - [Jack de Quidt] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's a very special episode this week as Victor interviews Bradly Halestorm, the founder of LionWing Publishing, a team that specializes in localizing Japanese tabletop RPGs both old and new. We learn all about his history with RPGs and what it's like to license and localize Japanese books from 20+ years ago. It's a real treat and we get into the weeds, especially when we discuss LionWing's upcoming release from their wildly successful Kickstarter campaign, Wares Blade; a fantasy mech tabletop from the 80s. I hope you all enjoy this episode of Axe of the Blood God! Subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at ⁠https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod⁠ and get merch at ⁠https://shop.bloodgodpod.com⁠ Also in this episode: The challenges of working through snail mail The future of Shin Megami Tensei: Tokyo Conception Finally, another guest that respects 7th Dragon! Timestamps: 6:08 - Main Topic - Interview w/ Bradly Hale of LionWing 1:10:33 - Wares Blade Music Used in this Episode: Axe of the Blood God Theme - [Lena Raine] VITALITY - [Shin Megami Tensei III Nocturne - Incense Disc] LUCK - [Shin Megami Tensei III Nocturne - Incense Disc] STRENGTH - [Shin Megami Tensei III Nocturne - Incense Disc] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pokemon Champions is here and we have expert guests Casey DeFreitas and Kallie Plagge to get you up to speed. We get deep into the tall grass of Pokemon competitive battling, and ask the question: How do the gatcha components of Pokemon Champions affect players new and old? The tension between serving the new player and fulfilling the seasoned player runs high! Subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at ⁠https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod⁠ and get merch at ⁠https://shop.bloodgodpod.com⁠ Also in this episode: Pokopia  Slay the Spire 2 Monster Hunter Stories 3 The funniest moment of Nadia's life Timestamps: 00:07:40 - Main Topic 01:02:40 - Random Encounters 01:03:53 - Tavern 1:26:42 - Nadia’s Nostalgia Nook Music Used in this Episode: Axe of the Blood God Theme - [Lena Raine] Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III] Pub - [Lunar Knights] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] Champions Music - [Pokémon Champions] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pre-order Nadia's book!https://retrogamebooks.com/products/from-pixels-to-prose-what-video-games-taught-me-about-storytellingOnce you're done that come back and listen to a nice chill episode on a relaxing slow news week. Victor and Nadia discuss their favourite canine and feline party members in RPG history with plenty of help from our community! All that and so much more on this domesticated episode of Axe of the Blood God! And the name of the KTEH producer I was trying to think of was the late Karen Roberts. Subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at ⁠https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod⁠ and get merch at ⁠https://shop.bloodgodpod.com⁠ Also in this episode: From Pixels to Prose by Nadia Oxford Animorphs Weird Canadian TV Final Fantasy Dissidia Duellum update! Timestamps: 10:08 - Main Topic - The Best Cats and Dogs in RPGs 54:13 - Random Encounters 59:54 - Tavern - Nadia Wrote a Book! 1:23:00 - Nadia’s Nostalgia Nook Music Used in this Episode: Axe of the Blood God Theme - [Lena Raine] Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III] Pub - [Lunar Knights] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] Break it down - inside the cinema - [Persona Q2] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ride on! Victor and Nadia are joined by special guests David Oxford and Ash Paulsen to discuss the new Mega Man Star Force Legacy Collection. Is this the best Mega Man collection yet in terms of raw options? Do we recommend jumping into the Mega Man RPGs from the Star Force series? Did we mention you can probably skip Star Force 2? All that plus a very exciting surprise segment, and much more on this cosmic episode of Axe of the Blood God! Subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at ⁠https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod⁠ and get merch at ⁠https://shop.bloodgodpod.com⁠ Also in this episode: The Mega Mandela Effect Vector Translations' Xenosaga I&II DS fan-translation Blue Reflection: Quartet Tomodachi Life Dissidia Duellum How to play Boktai in 2026 Kura5 Timestamps: 11:30 - Main Topic - Mega Man Star Force Legacy Collection 55:28 - ITS THE RAGTIME MOUSE 1:04:28 - Random Encounters 1:12:22 - Tavern - Tomodachi Life, Dissidia Duellum 1:36:32 - Nadia’s Nostalgia Nook Music Used in this Episode: Ragtime Mouse - [Final Fantasy IX] Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III] Pub - [Lunar Knights] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] Rise as a Hero - [Mega Man Star Force] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With takes as hot as the desert sands, Eric, Nadia, Victor, and special guest Joseph Bradford discuss March's hottest RPG Crimson Desert. Does it work as a prequel to hit MMO Black Desert Online? Is it greater than the sum of its many many many parts? Does anyone like the main guy? All these questions and more answered on this sandy-but-not-as-sandy-as-you'd-think episode of Axe of the Blood God! Subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at ⁠https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod⁠ and get merch at ⁠https://shop.bloodgodpod.com⁠ Also in this episode: Dread Delusion Animal Crossing City Folk The Ratline Dragon Quest X Greiga Master's Mega Man Battle Network: Phantom of Network PC Port I promise, I PROMISE, we will do our best to stop talking about how awful AI is but studios need to stop forcing our hand. We want to to be free from this curse. Timestamps: 13:08 - Main Topic - Crimson Desert 1:22:48 - Random Encounters - AI in Crimson Desert 1:50:08 - The Tavern 02:10:08 - Nadia’s Nostalgia Nook Music Used in this Episode: Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III] Pub - [Lunar Knights] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] Having Fun - [Dragon Quest Swords: The Masked Queen and the Tower of Mirrors] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Probably a good idea to start learning how to salvage a dead civilization and there's no better teacher than Ditto. Pokopia is here and Eric and Nadia have plenty to share about this new Pokemon spin-off from the developers behind the cult-classic Dragon Quest Builders. Subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at ⁠https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod⁠ and get merch at ⁠https://shop.bloodgodpod.com⁠ Also in this episode: It's always been Dragon Slayer Slay the Spire 2 Final Fantasy XIV Dawntrail Patch 7.5 Live Letter Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection Timestamps: 11:12 - Main Topic - Pokopia 49:40 - Random Encounters 54:00 - Sharlayan Dropouts - Final Fantasy XIV Patch 7.5 - Trail to the Heavens 1:15:20 - The Tavern - Monster Hunter Stories 3 1:30:08 - Slay the Spire 2 02:07:26 - Nadia’s Nostalgia Nook Music Used in this Episode: Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III] Pub - [Lunar Knights] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] Celadon City - [Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Let's A some Qs.From RPGs that deserve a fighting game adaptation to the importance of physical strategy guides; it's a jam-packed extra-long episode as Nadia, Eric, and Victor answer questions from our community and prove themselves incapable of effective time management -- to your benefit! Further Reading:Sharlayan Dropouts - Our FFXIV Fighting Game Roster Subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at ⁠https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod⁠ and celebrate our 10th Anniversary with new merch at ⁠https://shop.bloodgodpod.com⁠ Also in this episode: Gary Larson's Far Cry I forgot to mention that the spin-off that I really want is a Final Fantasy Fitness Boxing Eric's been playing Pokopia Eric's been playing Slay the Spire 2 Timestamps: 12:00 - Main Topic - March Mailbag! 23:32 - Ys? 25:00 - Fan-translations 30:36 - Noping out 37:52 - The perfect Valkyria Chronicles/Sakura Wars 41:04 - Embarrassing games 47:20 - Challenges that elude us 52:12 - What RPG should be a fighting game 1:04:00 - The importance of old strategy guides 1:18:56 - The past few months of change 1:34:00 - Resident. Eeeevilll. 1:36:32 - Random Encounters 1:50:30 - The Tavern - Pokopia 2:02:26 - The Tavern - Slay the Spire 2 02:07:26 - Nadia’s Nostalgia Nook Music Used in this Episode: Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III] Pub - [Lunar Knights] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] Theme of Valkyria (Guitar Version) - [Valkyria Chronicles III] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There's a cavalcade of indie RPG demos fighting for your attention this week and Eric, Nadia, Victor, and special guest Lucas White are here to help you find some of the ones worth wishlisting! From hardcore dungeon crawls, to neon musicals, to impressionistic adventures, and everything in-between! Plus Pokemon, Tales, Ys, and a whole lot more on this jam-packed episode of Axe of the Blood God! Subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at ⁠https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod⁠ and celebrate our 10th Anniversary with new merch at ⁠https://shop.bloodgodpod.com⁠ Also in this episode: Did Tales of Berseria need the Remaster treatment? Pokemon 30th Anniversary announcements galore! Winds, Waves, HitClips! Ys X: Proud Nordics might just have the sauce Everything is Battle Network Timestamps: 09:58 - Main Topic - Steam Next Fest RPG Highlights! 10:20 - Parasite Mutant 22:20 - Annihilated 29:12 - Zero Parades: For Dead Spies 44:00 - THREE VERSES^3 49:40 - Calamity Angel: Special Delivery 54:24 - Esoteric Ebb 58:16 - Vampire Crawlers 1:04:32 - Curse Chapter: Dawnthief 1:07:04 - People of Note 1:13:04 - Random Encounters 1:18:46 - Mini-boss! - Pokemon News Galore! Winds, Waves, HitClips! 1:26:24 - The Tavern - Ys X Proud Nordics 1:36:24 - Tales of Berseria Remastered 01:49:20 - Nadia’s Nostalgia Nook Music Used in this Episode: Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III] Pub - [Lunar Knights] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] Theme of Velvet - [Tales of Berseria] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Note: Microsoft and the Xbox brand remain subjects of the BDS (Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions) movement for their complicity in the ongoing apartheid and genocide of Palestine. Visit https://www.bdsmovement.net/microsoft for more information.It's been a hell of a news week so we're gearing up for an Oops! All Random Encounters. From major pillars of the game industry collapsing in spectacular fashion, to sequels we never thought we'd see; it's a jam-packed week that is sure to have ramifications that we'll be feeling for years on this tumultuous episode of Axe of the Blood God! Subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at ⁠https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod⁠ and celebrate our 10th Anniversary with new merch at ⁠https://shop.bloodgodpod.com⁠ Also in this episode: Sony shuts down Bluepoint Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen Shutaro Iida's passing The ghost in Mario 3's shell Timestamps: 07:30 - Main Topic - Random Encounters - Xbox news! 29:36 - Bluepoint 1:00:00 - .hack//ZERO 1:15:44 - Tavern - Paranormasight: The Mermaid's Curse 01:38:08 - Nadia’s Nostalgia Nook Music Used in this Episode: Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III] Pub - [Lunar Knights] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] Mac Anu - [.hack//INFECTION] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The gas leak isn't the only thing in the air; so is love!Whether you spent Valentine's day with that special someone or that special someone is you, we've got an episode full of our favourite romanceable NPCs in RPGs, with a game show twist! Nadia, Eric, and Victor tell on themselves while trying to read each other's minds. All that and more on a very lovely episode of Axe of the Blood God. Subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at ⁠https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod⁠ and celebrate our 10th Anniversary with new merch at ⁠https://shop.bloodgodpod.com⁠ Also in this episode: Discord is introducing their age-verification system; what we're doing about it Timestamps: 09:28 - Main Topic - Valentine's Day Special - Round 1 - Fire Emblem 21:20 - Round 2 - Mass Effect 36:56 - Round 3 - Stardew Valley 52:04 - Round 4 - Harvest Moon 1:04:56 - Round 5 - Dragon Quest 1:09:44 - Round 6 - Final Fantasy 1:22:04 - Round 7 - Pokemon Champions 1:30:40 - Round 8 - Tales of Symphonia 1:37:32 - Round 9 - Baldur's Gate 1:44:56 - Round 10 - Love and Deepspace 44:37 - Random Encounters (minibosses) 01:20:30 - Nadia’s Nostalgia Nook Music Used in this Episode: Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dragon Quest VII: Reimagined is here, and so are the hot takes! Nadia, Eric, Victor and guest Lucas White react to the game and the criticism it’s getting out the gate. What is “quality of life” in gaming, and if you could “Click” (2006) your way through life, would you? Subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at ⁠https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod⁠ and celebrate our 10th Anniversary with new merch at ⁠https://shop.bloodgodpod.com⁠ Also in this episode: Yakuza 3 drama Baldur’s Gate 3, the show? Nintendo Direct Nadia is learning to play bass out of spite Timestamps: 08:22 - Main Topic - DQVII 44:37 - Random Encounters (minibosses) 01:20:30 - Nadia’s Nostalgia Nook Music Used in this Episode: Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] Seven Mysteries - [PARANORMASIGHT The Seven Mysteries of Honjo] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Six months in, we ask the question, "How is the Switch 2 holding up as an RPG machine? Nadia, Eric, and special guest Ash Paulsen discuss the Nintendo Switch 2's RPG lineup, from Switch 1 upgrades, to system exclusives, to that glint of Pokopia on the horizon. It's a great couch system, but does it travel well? Subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod and celebrate our 10th Anniversary with new merch at https://shop.bloodgodpod.com Also in this episode: New and improved Octopath Traveler 0 An update on Haunted Chocolatier Some side-eye-worthy comments from Bethesda Distant Worlds, baybeee! Timestamps: 09:04 - Main Topic - The Switch 2 as an RPG Machine 41:33 - Random Encounters 51:54 - The Tavern - Octopath Traveler 0 and Distant Worlds 01:07:49 - Nadi'a Nostalgia Nook Music Used in this Episode: Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III] Pub - [Lunar Knights] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] A Long Fall (The Primals) - [Final Fantasy XIV - Scions and Sinners] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Millennial Fair is in full swing! Nadia, Eric, and special guest Michael Higham discuss what makes the best starter towns. Did you wake up and everyone in the town doesn’t know you? Did you rebuild the town brick by brick? Is your starter town lowkey just a hub? Subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod and celebrate our 10th Anniversary with new merch at https://shop.bloodgodpod.com Also in this episode: Life Is Strange Reunion Ubisoft is imploding Being a delinquent in an igloo Timestamps: 09:25 - Main Topic - RPG Towns 01:07:28 - Random Encounters 1:28:12 - Nostalgia Nook Music Used in this Episode: Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] Overworld Main Theme - [FFVII] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Soup’s on! Nadia, Eric, and special guest Rebekah Valentine are cooking up an RPG Stew of games they’ve been playing lately. Plus, how prerelease parties at your local gaming store help build community, (the “G” in MTG stands for “gathering”). Subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod and celebrate our 10th Anniversary with new merch at https://shop.bloodgodpod.com Also in this episode: Nadia’s MAGfest Recap Comments on genAI at Cygames Final Fantasy VII Remake in “Streamlined Progression” Mode Timestamps: 11:04 - Main Topic - RPG Stew 01:18:32 - Random Encounters 1:28:25 - Magic the Gathering Nook Music Used in this Episode: Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] Main Theme - [Octopath Traveler 0] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A New Year means new resolutions and for many of us that includes making a pledge to chip away at the ever-growing backlog. Are you going to tackle a new series? Revisit an old classic? Are some of last year's hits on sale for the right price? Or do you need something effervescent to pair with a white meat? Eric, Victor, and special guest John Carson discuss what drives them to check games of the list, and whether that's even something we should be beating ourselves up over. Subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod and celebrate our 10th Anniversary with new merch at https://shop.bloodgodpod.com Also in this episode: More comments on genAI at Larian Final Fantasy XI updates for 2026! Fire Emblem Path of Radiance on Nintendo Switch Online Magic the Gathering Update Note: Microsoft and the Xbox brand remain subjects of the BDS (Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions) movement for their complicity in the ongoing apartheid and genocide of Palestine. Visit https://www.bdsmovement.net/microsoft for more information. Timestamps: 12:04 - Main Topic - How To Handle One's Backlog 59:12 - Random Encounters 1:16:32 - The Tavern - Holiday Gaming Habits 1:30:26 - Magic the Gathering Nook Music Used in this Episode: Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] Shinjuku - [Shin Megami Tensei NINE] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If this wasn't an RPG podcast we could have talked about Ace Combat the entire time. But luckily for you it IS an RPG podcast so Eric, Nadia, Victor, and special guest Len Hafer discuss all their most-anticipated RPGs of 2026 (and possibly beyond)! From the newest Fire Emblem to re-releases of GBA cult-classics, from Inaba to Singapore, from tactics to action; it's all here, baby, on this very futuristic episode of Axe of the Blood God! Subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod and celebrate our 10th Anniversary with new merch at https://shop.bloodgodpod.com Also in this episode: First person to correctly guess what picture Victor put in chat during the Monster Hunter Stories 3 segment gets a shout-out on the next episode But which part of the Divinity trailer is the grossest? How to get into Ys Anime Music Videos Note: Microsoft and the Xbox brand remain subjects of the BDS (Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions) movement for their complicity in the ongoing apartheid and genocide of Palestine. In the interest of journalism we've chosen to cover Microsoft but encourage you to visit https://www.bdsmovement.net/microsoft for more information. Timestamps: 8:32 - Main Topic - Hidden Gems of 2025 1:29:26 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook Music Used in this Episode: Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] Welcome to VA-11 HALL-A - [VA-11 HALL-A] Games Mentioned in this Episode: Warhammer 40,000: Dark Heresy .45 Parabellum Bloodhound Monster Hunter Stories 3 Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave Persona 4 Revival Final Fantasy XIV 8.0: Noonballoon Dragon Quest VII ReImagined Zero Parades: For Dead Spies Divinity Varsapura The Adventures of Elliot: The Millenium Tales Code Vein II Blood of the Dawnwalker Mina The Hollower Sigma Star Saga DX Pokopia Trails in the Sky 2nd Chapter Big Walk Terra Invicta Abyss X Zero Duskbloods Queen's Domain Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's Been A Good Year For Games™ and Nadia, Eric, and Victor are ready to decide just how good. From the biggest smash hits like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 to the pluckiest indie darlings like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, we're covering it all!So place some bets on your favourite RPGs of the year and warm up your vocal chords to yell at your phone; It's the 2025 Axe of the Blood God Awards! Tune in to live recordings of the show every Saturday morning at https://www.twitch.tv/bloodgodpod, subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod and celebrate our 10th Anniversary with new merch at https://shop.bloodgodpod.com Also in this episode: Literally nothing else. See below for the categories and see below that for the lists of nominees. Note: Microsoft and the Xbox brand remain subjects of the BDS (Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions) movement for their complicity in the ongoing apartheid and genocide of Palestine. In the interest of journalism we've chosen to cover Microsoft but encourage you to visit https://www.bdsmovement.net/microsoft for more information. Timestamps: 0:00 - Main Topic - The Blood God Awards! 3:28 - Favourite Blood God Moment 8:08 - Best Non-RPG 12:48 - Best Art Direction 19:12 - Best Innovation 28:40 - Best Revival 38:56 - Best Menu Screen 45:52 - Best Moment 56:08 - Coolest Move 1:02:56 - Best Combat System 1:15:44 - Best Music 1:21:08 - Best Party Member 1:29:20 - Best RPG of 2025 1:16:16 - Random Encounters 1:40:16 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook Awards Nominees: Favourite Blood God Moment:- Kat's Sendoff- Not Eric Playing Final Fantasy 6 lol- The Gonster- History of Sound Novels- Victor liking sexy ladies Best Non-RPG:- Blue Prince- Donkey Kong Bananza- Shadow Labyrinth- Hollow Knight: Silksong Best Art Direction:- Stray Children- Artis Impact- Hades 2- Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Best Innovation:- The Hundred Line: Last Defense Academy- Elden Ring: Nightreign- Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Best Revival:- Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter- Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D- Raidou Remastered- Tokimeki Memorial: forever with you - emotional- Final Fantasy Tactics - The Ivalice Chronicles Best Menu Screen:- Xenoblade Chronicles X Definitive Edition- Digimon Story: Time Stranger- Monster Hunter Wilds- Not Persona 3 Reload- Citizen Sleeper 2- Hollow Knight: Silksong- Final Fantasy Tactics - The Ivalice Chronicles Best Moment:- Processing Grief - The Promise of Tomorrow - Patch 7.3 - Final Fantasy XIV Dawntrail- End of Act 1 - Clair Obscur: Expedition 33- End of Chapter 12 - Xenoblade Chronicles X Definitive Edition- Grinding for Advanced Classes - Final Fantasy Tactics - The Ivalice Chronicles- The Gommage - Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Coolest Move:- Throw Rock - Final Fantasy Tactics- Elemental Genesis - Clair Obscur: Expedition 33- Giga Slash - Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Best Combat:- Raidou Remastered- Citizen Sleeper 2- Octopath Traveler 0- Demonschool- The Hundred Line: Last Defense Academy- Elden Ring: Nightreign- Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Best Music:- Octopath Traveler 0- Clair Obscur: Expedition 33- Hades 2- Into the Mist - Patch 7.4 - Final Fantasy XIV: Dawntrail- Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter Best Party Member:- Estelle Bright - Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter- Elma - Xenoblade Chronicles X Definitive Edition- Susie - Deltarune- Maelle - Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 RPG of the Year:- Clair Obscur: Expedition 33- The Hundred Line Last Defense Academy- Hades 2- Quartet- Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter- Demonschool- The First Berserker: Khazan- Fantasy Life i: The Girls Who Steals Time- Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma- Pokemon Legends Z-A- Kingdom Come: Deliverance II- Monster Hunter Wilds- Octopath Traveler II- Kingdom of the Dump- Shrine's Legacy- Citizen Sleeper 2- Elden Ring: Nightreign- Deltarune- Everhood 2- AvowedFurther Reading:2024 Sharlayan Dropouts Valentione's Day SpecialMusic in this Episode:Oasis in the 100 - The Hundred Line: Last Defense Academy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Like a cave behind a waterfall or a treasure chest just out of the camera's view, so to will these games make you feel special just by the nature of finding them. Some of 2025's best RPG experiences are tucked away in the corners of your local digital storefront but luckily Eric, Nadia, Victor, and special guest Lucas White are here to point you in the right direction. Whether you're looking for a mystery dungeon, a first-person dungeon crawl, or something with a bold art direction like you've never seen; this list will have something for you to cap off your year! Tune in to live recordings of the show every Saturday morning at https://www.twitch.tv/bloodgodpod, subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod and celebrate our 10th Anniversary with new merch at https://shop.bloodgodpod.com Also in this episode: Don't support retro handhelds that perpetuate the military industrial complex Larian under fire for use of genAI Falcom under fire for use of genAI Update on Horses League of Legends 2? Note: Microsoft and the Xbox brand remain subjects of the BDS (Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions) movement for their complicity in the ongoing apartheid and genocide of Palestine. In the interest of journalism we've chosen to cover Microsoft but encourage you to visit https://www.bdsmovement.net/microsoft for more information. Timestamps: 5:36 - Main Topic - Hidden Gems of 2025 1:16:16 - Random Encounters 1:40:16 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook Music Used in this Episode: Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III] Pub - [Lunar Knights] Adventurer's Guild - [Wizardry Variants: Daphne] Games Mentioned in this Episode: Shujinkou Romancing SaGa Minstrel's Song Remastered International Ys: The Oath in Felghana Road to Empress Crescent Tower Angeline Era Capcom Picross Battle Suit Aces House of Necrosis Lunacid: Tears of the Moon Suikoden I & II Remaster Sunderfolk Artis Impact Look Outside Wizardy Variants: Daphne Baroque-ya Quartet OFF He Is Coming Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time Wagotabi Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Curl up with a hot cup of coffee (or did I lie and it's actually cold?) and warm up by the agidyne+3 because it's time to discuss our favourite frosty friends in RPGs. From ice-based monsters to wielders of frost magicks, it's the guys (of any gender) that keep things cool. Plus, the Keighleys have come and gone and it's our journalistic duty to cover them. What was announced, who won, and why it's all a frustrating ordeal to think about. It's Cold Guys and Hot Takes here on a very chilly episode of Axe of the Blood God! Tune in to live recordings of the show every Saturday morning at https://www.twitch.tv/bloodgodpod, subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod and celebrate our 10th Anniversary with new merch at https://shop.bloodgodpod.com Also in this episode: Which Shiva scissors the most? Let's WendiGOOOOOO! Why we love to hate The Game Awards Kat Bailey Presents Divinity Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Sweeps Timestamps: 9:20 - Main Topic - Cold Guys 1:02:32 - Random Tavern Encounters Music Used in this Episode: Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III] Pub - [Lunar Knights] A Snow Light - [Tales of Symphonia] Jingle Bells - [Linda^3] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With a name like "Wishvale" there's no way that town wasn't going to get torched at the beginning of an RPG.Does this adaptation of a gacha mobage manage to sell itself as a standalone single-player console RPG? Eric, Nadia, and special guest Jesse Vitelli are here to discuss Octopath Traveler 0 and whether it can come in under the wire as a contender for RPG of the Year. All this and so much more on this episode of Axe of the Blood God! Tune in to live recordings of the show every Saturday morning at https://www.twitch.tv/bloodgodpod, subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod and celebrate our 10th Anniversary with new merch at https://shop.bloodgodpod.com Also in this episode: Missed opportunities with character skits Final Fantasy XIV Patch 7.4 Promise Mascot Agency Metroid Prime 4 Timestamps: 15:04 - Main Topic - Octopath Traveler 0 1:00:00 - Random Encounters - FFXIV Patch 7.4 1:17:42 - Random Encounters - Promise Mascot Agency 1:24:46 - Nadia’s Nostalgia Nook Music Used in this Episode: Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III] Pub - [Lunar Knights] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] Battle 1 - [Octopath Traveler 16-Bit Arrangements] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Happy American Thanksgiving! We're taking the week off but as a very special treat we're pulling one of our favourite Pantheon episodes out from behind the paywall. To celebrate the upcoming 30th anniversary it's our deep-dive into Sakura Wars for the Sega Saturn! If you can find 3 entire hours to sneak away from your family this Thanksgiving, it's a rollercoaster ride of emotions and packed with history and context for one of Sega's most important franchises. All the original show notes, including the further reading, are included below so please enjoy this blooming episode of Pantheon of the Blood God! -------------For our $10-and-up patrons, it's the longest Pantheon episode yet. Sakura Wars never came out in the West but its massive success in Japan in the late 90s and early 2000s gives it an often-unseen influence on RPGs. Can this forgotten SEGA franchise surpass the language barrier and make its way into the Pantheon? We talk about: For the last time, it's not a visual novel The history of western theatre in Japan Subversions of gender essentialism The single set of footprints in the sand is when Sakura Wars was carrying the Saturn and also fighting Satan. Further Reading:The Origin of Visual Novels - Bowl of Lentilshttps://youtu.be/7wOtv-J7tOI?si=tRyGSp0Hzd1Yyc4r25 Years With an Invisible Elephant in the Room - Tom Jameshttps://freelansations.medium.com/25-years-with-an-invisible-elephant-in-the-room-6e5402c93960Skies of Arcadia 2019 Developer Interviewhttps://youtu.be/BPngEZ80xnU?si=jMX2dffTcaR0BaS1Sakura Wars Retrospective Playlist - Matt Bhttps://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFMXcpj1mOa7AYfYPMZ80LzAwE3zl-ftVSakura Wars - Kimimi (not mentioned in the episode but good coverage of the series)https://kimimithegameeatingshemonster.com/sakura-wars-corner/Timestamps: 6:56 - Our History with Sakura Wars 18:00 - Development and History 2:08:00 - SPOILERS BEGIN 2:11:00 - SPOILERS END 2:38:48 - Verdict Music Used in This Episode: Move Out! - [Sakura Wars] Geki! Teikoku Kagekidan - [Sakura Wars] Blooming Maidens - [Sakura Wars] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Call us Hamburger Helper because this week we're cooking with beef!Eric, Nadia, and special guest John Learned are here to discuss only the rawest slabs of DPS meat. What's appealing about the unga bunga and how does it fit into the party composition? Get ready for a list full of himbos and fur bikinis! Tune in to live recordings of the show every Saturday morning at https://www.twitch.tv/bloodgodpod, subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod and celebrate our 10th Anniversary with new merch at https://shop.bloodgodpod.com Also in this episode: Lord of the Rings tangents Steins;Gate Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment Demonschool Timestamps: 8:00 Main Topic - The Beefy Boys 28:36 - Surprise Eric Pit 1:17:42 - Random Encounters 1:17:20 - The Tavern - Age of Imprisonment and Demonschool 1:42:56 - Nadia’s Nostalgia Nook Music Used in this Episode: Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III] Pub - [Lunar Knights] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] Road Taken - [Fire Emblem Fates] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I'm pulling a Retronauts and calling this "Part One" because we barely even got around to talking about the games themselves; instead, Victor, Eric, and Nadia wax philosophical about the seemingly-universal appeal of card games, the stories that can be told with a deck of cards, and how they fit perfectly into the systems and structure of both tabletop games and video games. Maybe in Part Two we'll talk about actual specific video games. Maybe Part Two will be the upcoming Mega Man Battle Network 2 Pantheon episode! Who can say? Go and get a tarot reading and find out! Tune in to live recordings of the show every Saturday morning at https://www.twitch.tv/bloodgodpod, subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod and celebrate our 10th Anniversary with new merch at https://shop.bloodgodpod.com Also in this episode: Corpse Party cancelled Octopath Traveler 0 Impressions Canadian Cooking Shows and Human Anatomy Timestamps: 6:20 Main Topic - Card-Based RPGs 26:44 - History of Decks of Cards 1:17:42 - Random Encounters 1:21:12 - The Tavern - Octopath Traveler 0 Impressions 1:30:40 - Nadia’s Nostalgia Nook Music Used in this Episode: Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III] Pub - [Lunar Knights] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] The Valedictory Elegy (for guitar) - [Baten Kaitos Origins] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

May the Falz be with you!Award-winning creator of the Phantasy Star Tabletop RPG, Rich Lescouflair, joins Victor for an in-depth interview all about adapting a beloved JRPG into tabletop form, the joys of freeing oneself from the shackles of narrative canon, and why Phantasy Staar Online Episode III: CARD Recolution actually kicks ass.This is one multiplayer Phantasy Star that doesn't require a Hunter's License!Plus, Nadia, Eric, and Victor address why a 'Good Year For Games' isn't always a good year for the people who make them. All that and more on this episode of Axe of the Blood God! Tune in to live recordings of the show every Saturday morning at https://www.twitch.tv/bloodgodpod, subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod and celebrate our 10th Anniversary with new merch at https://shop.bloodgodpod.com Skydawn Games:https://skydawngames.com/ Liz Bushouse's Comparison of Phantasy Star Scripts:https://lizbushouse.com/phantasy-star-1-script-comparison-sega-ages-gba-part-1/ SkysNotTheLimit Phantasy Star Online Lore Channel:https://www.youtube.com/feed/subscriptions/UCUKqjgQUXrAGlQ35d4Aqn4Q Tom's Bluesky Thread About the Importance of Square's Human QA:https://bsky.app/profile/iiotenki.bsky.social/post/3m4yqll6bdk2h Also in this episode: Layoffs at Square Enix and QA being replaced by AI Happy N7 Day! Mass Effect is definitely still alive! The Game Awards confirms the Future Class is gone Exciting updates to Final Fantasy XI Hyrule Warriors, and Zelda's history of busty villainnesses Timestamps: 8:56 - Main Topic - Phantasy Star Tabletop RPG Interview w/ Rich Lescouflair 1:16:18 - Random Encounters 1:41:58 - The Tavern - Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment 1:56:00 - Nadia’s Nostalgia Nook Music Used in this Episode: Rune - [Phantasy Star IV] Valentine - [Phantasy Star Online] Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III] Pub - [Lunar Knights] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] Chaotic Bar - [Phantasy Star Online] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A podcast draws near!Eric, Nadia, and special guest Lucas White are here to discuss the latest Dragon Quest HD2D remake(s)! Is this collection of the first two entires in the seminal series a must-play or should you puff-puff pass? Tune in to live recordings of the show every Saturday morning at https://www.twitch.tv/bloodgodpod, subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod and celebrate our 10th Anniversary with new merch at https://shop.bloodgodpod.com Contribute to Jen's Gofundme:https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-jen-recover-from-mg-crisis Nadia's Review:https://gameinformer.com/review/dragon-quest-i-ii-hd-2d-remake/level-up-and-up Lucas' Review:https://www.shacknews.com/article/146558/dragon-quest-1-2-hd-2d-remake-review-score Also in this episode: What's the current state of Dragon Quest? We give Naoki Ikushima his flowers The Seance of Blake Manor New episodes of Dispatch Artis Impact Simogo Legacy Collection Final Fantasy House Timestamps: 8:48 Main Topic - Dragon Quest I&II HD2D 57:44 - Random Encounters 59:12 - The Tavern - Pokemon Hate 1:32:48 - Nadia’s Nostalgia Nook Music Used in this Episode: Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III] Pub - [Lunar Knights] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] Settings Menu (Intermezzo I) - [Theathrythm Dragon Quest] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Note: Microsoft and the Xbox brand remain subjects of the BDS (Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions) movement for their complicity in the ongoing apartheid and genocide of Palestine. In the interest of journalism we've chosen to cover Microsoft but encourage you to visit https://www.bdsmovement.net/microsoft for more information.Capitalism. In space!Eric and Nadia have been spending time with Outer Worlds 2, Victor and Nadia have been redistributing the world's supply of umbrellas to themselves, and Triple Triad is bringing cultures together. All this and more on a very special episode of Axe of the Blood God! Tune in to live recordings of the show every Saturday morning at https://www.twitch.tv/bloodgodpod, subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod and celebrate our 10th Anniversary with new merch at https://shop.bloodgodpod.com Also in this episode: How to get free umbrellas Upcoming 'Tales of' Remaster news! We hope Final Fantasy VII Part 3 doesn't make the same mistakes a Rebirth The creators we love (and Palworld) who say hell no to genAI Pokemon's cottage industry of outrage Eric's Twin Peaks: The Return update! Dispatch What games were YOU playing in 1992? How to solve a slide puzzle Timestamps: 13:40 Main Topic - Outer Worlds 2 42:24 - Random Encounters 59:12 - The Tavern - Pokemon Hate 1:32:48 - Nadia’s Nostalgia Nook Music Used in this Episode: Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III] Pub - [Lunar Knights] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] Sunflower Girl 2 - [Lunar Knights] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

During this month of Every Game Finally Coming Out, Victor, Nadia, Eric, and special guest Giovanni Colantonio talk Pokemon Z-A, walkable cities in games, and what makes a good sidequest.Plus, Eric gives us the (vampire) rundown on Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines and why you probably shouldn't wait 20 years to make a sequel. Tune in to live recordings of the show every Saturday morning at https://www.twitch.tv/bloodgodpod, subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod and celebrate our 10th Anniversary with new merch at https://shop.bloodgodpod.com Also in this episode: Dissidia Duellum fashion Phantasy Star Tabletop Impressions Where that expensive pokemon coffee comes from Music Used in this Episode: Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III] Pub - [Lunar Knights] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] Lavender Town - [Pokemon Red/Blue] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Vampires are so last year.Call your local Hex Maniac because Victor, Nadia, and Eric are holding a seance to determine the best spectres, phantoms, ghasts, and frights across the history of RPGs. It's time to talk ghosts!From the cutest to the cultists, from friendly to frightening, it's all ghosts all the time. Just don't mess around with a ouija board while listening to this episode. Or if you do, don't tell Eric. Tune in to live recordings of the show every Saturday morning at https://www.twitch.tv/bloodgodpod, subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod and celebrate our 10th Anniversary with new merch at https://shop.bloodgodpod.com Also in this episode: Sharlayan Dropouts News TRUE Encounter With REAL GHOSTS!! Unfortunate news for Heart Machine Timestamps: 11:12 Main Topic - The Best Ghosts in RPGs 1:20:28 - Random Encounters 1:29:20 - The Future of Sharlayan Dropouts 1:34:08 - Nadia’s Nostalgia Nook Music Used in this Episode: Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III] Pub - [Lunar Knights] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] Lavender Town - [Pokemon Let's Go] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Digi-see? Digi-hear? Digi-know it was coming?Your digi-destiny starts today and Eric, Nadia, and special guests, Kenneth Shepard, and Jesse Vitelli are your digi-guides through it all. Time Stranger, the latest in the Digimon Story sub-series of RPGs is finally here and it might just be a perfect entry point into the digital world. Learn al about it on this prodigious episode of Axe of the Blood God!And you better not suggest that Digimon don't have feelings or you're getting banned from bluesky. Tune in to live recordings of the show every Saturday morning at https://www.twitch.tv/bloodgodpod, subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod and celebrate our 10th Anniversary with new merch at https://shop.bloodgodpod.com Also in this episode: Why doesn't Nadia care about Digimon? Protomen Act III Bad News For EA Timestamps: 8:00 Main Topic - Digimon Story: Time Stranger 43:12 - Random Encounters 46:00 - The Tavern - The Protomen, EA Has Gone Private 1:04:16 - Ken Plays Fortnite for KPop Demon Hunters 1:20:40 - Nadia’s Nostalgia Nook, Sort of... Music Used in this Episode: Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III] Pub - [Lunar Knights] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] Central Park - [Digimon World 3] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Cheerio! Kat is moving to the UK and we celebrate with a mail bag AMA centered on her experience serving the Blood God, and you know it wouldn’t be a Kat episode without delving into the worlds of soccer and Magic The Gathering. - Plus, discussion of Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles - The meaning of “mature” storylines - Whether or not Mario is a superhero.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As we prepare for our fearless leader's graduation, it's time to celebrate the RPGs that made her. From tactics to action, from sim to rogue-lite, Kat, Eric, and Victor discuss Kat's idea of the perfect RPG library. Plus, Eric's been playing Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter; is this the Trails games that will hook newcomers? Listen to this perfectly bitter-sweet episode of Axe of the Blood God to find out! Tune in to live recordings of the show every Saturday morning at https://www.twitch.tv/bloodgodpod, subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod and celebrate our 10th Anniversary with new merch at https://shop.bloodgodpod.com Also in this episode: Vampire: The Masquerade Bloodlines 2 Baroque is back, baby! How easy it is to play old games Timestamps: 3:12 - Big News! 10:52 Main Topic - Kat's Perfect RPG Library 22:32 - Tactics 35:12 - Turn-Based 47:28 - Action 56:48 - Dungeon Crawler 1:05:36 - Simulation 1:13:52 - CRPG 1:20:16 - Rogue-lite 1:26:48 - Monster Collecting 1:27:18 - Wildcards 1:32:08 - Random Encounters 1:53:20 - The Tavern - Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter Remake 1:36:08 - Nadia’s Nostalgia Nook Music Used in this Episode: Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III] Pub - [Lunar Knights] Cityscape - The Sun Rises for Ones Who Smile - [Etrian Odyssey V] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pick a god and pray; Fire Emblem is back along with a deluge of news from the latest Nintendo Direct. Slow-life Pokemon, collections of Mega Mans, and remakes of good Dragon Quests. Kat, Nadia, and Victor discuss all this and more on the this episode of Axe of the Blood God! Tune in to live recordings of the show every Saturday morning at https://www.twitch.tv/bloodgodpod, subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod and celebrate our 10th Anniversary with new merch at https://shop.bloodgodpod.com Also in this episode: You can just play old games. Nothing is stopping you. Super Robot Wars brings us together Timestamps: 3:30 - Main Topic - Nintendo Direct Reactions - Fire Emblem 18:52 - Dragon Quest VII 29:28 - Pokemon Pokopia 35:34 - Virtual Boy 44:02 - Hades 2 45:08 Persona 3 Reload 46:44 - Danganronpa 48:20 - Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment 52:00 - Mega Man: Star Force 1:05:12 - Random Encounters 1:10:24 - Remembering the PlayStation on its 30th Birthday 1:36:08 - Nadia’s Nostalgia Nook - 40 Years of Super Mario Brothers Music Used in this Episode: Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III] Pub - [Lunar Knights] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] Shooting Star - [Mega Man Star Force] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Final Fantasy Tactics you played back on the PS1 is not the real Final Fantasy Tactics. In fact, if you played it in the West you missed out on entire games-within-games that not only flesh out the world of Ivalice, but hold clues to the future of Square Enix. And these secrets are all tucked away in... Sound Novels!That's right, this week Victor and Nadia are joined by experts in the history of Japanese adventure games, Tom James and BowlofLentils, to discuss how The Ivalice Chronicles is steering us back onto the path of understanding the lineage of this misunderstood genre. Visual novels, sound novels, adventures games, point-and-clicks, text adventures, dating sims, oteme games, galge? What do they have in common and what makes them completely different? Find out on this expository episode of Axe of the Blood God! Sorry if you thought this was going to be about like, the nature of remakes or adaptations and the Ship of Theseus or whatever, but we've got sound novels to talk about! Tune in to live recordings of the show every Saturday morning at https://www.twitch.tv/bloodgodpod, subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod and celebrate our 10th Anniversary with new merch at https://shop.bloodgodpod.com Also in this episode: Eternal Sonata Vanillaware's alternate Princess Maker timeline Doshin the Giant Why Inspector Gadget owes his life to Lupin III We mention Hollow Knight: Silksong purely for SEO purposes 428 Shibuya Scramble Famicom Detective Club FURTHER READING: BowlofLentils Youtube Channel:https://www.youtube.com/@bowloflentils Tom James' Blog:https://dateemups.com/ Sharlayan Dropouts - The Veil of Wiyu:https://bloodgodpod.com/sharlayan-dropouts-lore-veil-of-wiyu/ Timestamps: 7:20 Main Topic - Ivalice Chronicles Resurrecting the Lost Sound Novels 1:32:08 - Random Encounters 1:36:08 - Nadia’s Nostalgia Nook Music Used in this Episode: Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] Contact - [YU-NO: a girl who chants love at the bound of this world] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kat, Nadia, Eric, and Victor discuss their favorite weddings in RPGs, whether they serve the plot or they just think they’re neat! If you get married in FFXIV you get a sick Chocobo mount (the good kind of sick). Does marrying Shane in Stardew Valley fix him? No, girl, run!  Tune in to live recordings of the show every Saturday morning at https://www.twitch.tv/bloodgodpod, subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod and celebrate our 10th Anniversary with new merch at https://shop.bloodgodpod.com Also in this episode: A tier list of Final Fantasy XIII characters. Final Fantasy XIV third party mods controversy. Turning your wedding table into a sovereign nation. Timestamps: 9:41 Main Topic - Weddings in RPGS 1:03:32 - Random Encounters 1:27:08 - The Tavern 1:57:30 - Nadia’s Nostalgia Nook Music Used in this Episode: Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III] Pub - [Lunar Knights] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] Stand By Me - [Final Fantasy XV] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

They grow Geoff Keighleys in Europe too?!A bevy of announcements have poured in from Gamescom so Kat, Nadia, and Eric are here to sift through it all and give you the straight dope.Tune in to live recordings of the show every Saturday morning at https://www.twitch.tv/bloodgodpod, subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod and celebrate our 10th Anniversary with new merch at https://shop.bloodgodpod.comNote: Microsoft and the Xbox brand remain subjects of the BDS (Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions) movement for their complicity in the ongoing apartheid and genocide of Palestine. In the interest of journalism we've chosen to cover Microsoft but encourage you to visit https://www.bdsmovement.net/microsoft for more information. Also in this episode: BSG but it's FTL! Monster Hunter Wilds x Final Fantasy XIV Performance on Switch 2: Elden Ring, Cyberpunk, and more Bottles of Brownie Batter Vampire: The Masquerade: Bloodlines 2's development hell Pokemon TCG Pocket Updates Zero Parades Magic: The Gathering Update Lads and Bros playing Footy Bizarre Print Ads Timestamps: 3:28 - Main Topic 56:40 - Random Encounters 1:02:28 - The Tavern - Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter, PlayStation Price Increase 1:39:28 - Bonus Mailbag! Music Used in this Episode: Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III] Pub - [Lunar Knights] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] eScape - [Final Fantasy XIV: Stormblood] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

More like Lame Key Cards. Kat, Nadia, Eric, and Victor discuss the pros and cons of physical vs digital and what it means specifically to the history and culture of RPGs. Could it be that sometimes BOTH approaches are appropriate and that instead of pitting them against each other we should be addressing the underlying corporate systems that prevent us from experiencing art as anything other than consumers? Probably!Tune in to live recordings of the show every Saturday morning at https://www.twitch.tv/bloodgodpod, subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod and celebrate our 10th Anniversary with new merch at https://shop.bloodgodpod.comNote: Microsoft and the Xbox brand remain subjects of the BDS (Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions) movement for their complicity in the ongoing apartheid and genocide of Palestine. In the interest of journalism we've chosen to cover Microsoft but encourage you to visit https://www.bdsmovement.net/microsoft for more information. Also in this episode: The joy of getting a map with a game The frustration of downloading mandatory patches EA really is the worst What Tales game needs a remaster Hernias and Ronald McDonald Timestamps: 6:30 - Main Topic - Game Key Cards and the Importance of Physical Game Releases 1:05:14 - Random Encounters 1:11:04-ish - The Tavern - Dragon Age and Mass Effect Remasters, Tales of Xillia Remaster 1:34:00 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook Music Used in this Episode: Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III] Pub - [Lunar Knights] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] The Hollow City - [Tales of Xillia 2] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

To HD-2D, or not to HD-2D? That is the question Eric, Nadia, and special guest Timothy Monbleau are asking on this week's episode.From retro revivals like Live-A-Live and Dragon Quest to brand-new throwbacks like Octopath Traveler and The Adventures of Elliot, Square sure loves its depth-of-field-and-bloom-filled pixel-art dioramas! But should EVERY mid-budget RPG be adopting this style or is there a time and place for this look? All that and more on a very anachronistically aliased episode of Axe of the Blood God!Tune in to live recordings of the show every Saturday morning at https://www.twitch.tv/bloodgodpod, subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod and celebrate our 10th Anniversary with new merch at https://shop.bloodgodpod.com Also in this episode: Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound Super Smash Bros Beach Volleyball He Is Coming Eric's in his Movie Era Nadia hates Casablanca Timestamps: 8:48 - Main Topic - Adventures of Elliot and the Future of HD-2D 57:36 - Mailbag 1:03:20 - Random Encounters 1:04:28 - The Tavern 1:28:10 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook Music Used in this Episode: Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III] Pub - [Lunar Knights] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] One With Hope I - [OCTOPATH TRAVELER: Champions of the Continent] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Elliot is killing the adventurer industry.Big Switch 2 RPG news as we react to the announcements coming out of the latest Nintendo Direct! Kat, Nadia, and Eric discuss the pros and cons of digital storefronts, the impact tariffs are having on video games, and more Magic: The Gathering talk!Tune in to live recordings of the show every Saturday morning at https://www.twitch.tv/bloodgodpod, subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod and celebrate our 10th Anniversary with new merch at https://shop.bloodgodpod.com Also in this episode: The Adventures of Elliot: The Millenium Tales Octopath Traveler 0 Monster Hunter Stories 3 Persona 3 Reload Game Key Card Controversy Switch Price Increases Monster Hunter Wilds Eeveelution Tier List Why Fast-Travel is Killing RPGs Magic: The Gathering Pre-release My Girl spoilers Timestamps: 5:36 - Main Topic - Switch 2 Partner Direct 58:08 - Random Encounters - Monster Hunter Wilds 1:12:32 - The Tavern - Eric's Magic Pre-release Report 1:31:20 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook Music Used in this Episode: Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III] Pub - [Lunar Knights] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] Bestower of Wealth - [OCTOPATH TRAVELER Arrangements Break & Boost Vol.2] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As The Bee Gees once said, "Give me that knight fever!"Polish up your plate mail, pledge fealty to your lord of choice, and prepare to get chivalry wit it; we're talking knights!Eric, Nadia, and special guest Len Hafer discuss Paladins, Dark Knights, Pegasus Knights, Dragon Knights, Onion Knights, and more on this deep dive into the archetypes and mechanics that make characters sing. It's Class Conscious: Knights!Tune in to live recordings of the show every Saturday morning at https://www.twitch.tv/bloodgodpod, subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod and celebrate our 10th Anniversary with new merch at https://shop.bloodgodpod.com Also in this episode: Is Donkey Kong Bananza an RPG? No but we're talking about it Should you have a Switch 2 yet? Eric's Final Fantasy IX Update! I thought Donkey Kong wanted to kill me Timestamps: 8:06 - Main Topic - Retro Handhelds 58:08 - Random Encounters 1:00:56 - The Tavern - Donkey Kong Bananza 1:26:16 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook Music Used in this Episode: Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III] Pub - [Lunar Knights] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] Rose of May - [Final Fantasy IX] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is that a bespoke third-party retro handheld in your pocket or are you just happy to see me?Special guest Jake Steinberg joins Kat, Nadia, and Eric to discuss the rise of the boutique industry of retro handhelds that has emerged over the past decade. From playing vintage GBC carts to emulation machines that can give you a PS2 in your hands, the crew gives you everything you need to know to start your journey into the world or retro handhelds!For more of Jake check out his Youtube channel:https://youtube.com/@jakesteinberg?si=Z2kaNkSkH-qNwSQlTune in to live recordings of the show every Saturday morning at https://www.twitch.tv/bloodgodpod, subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod and celebrate our 10th Anniversary with new merch at https://shop.bloodgodpod.com Also in this episode: The problems with the state of game preservation Why the Playdate rules Live Action Zelda casting news Eric's Final Fantasy IX Update The Best Games of the PSP Timestamps: 6:56 - Main Topic - Retro Handhelds 58:108 - Random Encounters 1:18:48 or so - The Tavern 1:47:32 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook Music Used in this Episode: Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III] Pub - [Lunar Knights] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] A Little Friendship - [Golden Sun] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's Letter Tiiiime, It's Letter Tiiiime!Kat, Nadia, and Eric answer your burning questions this week as well as discuss Naoki Yoshida's recent comments about the future of Final Fantasy and celebrate the 25th Anniversary of Final Fantasy IX. All that and quite a bit of talk about pizza on this week'sTune in to live recordings of the show every Saturday morning at https://www.twitch.tv/bloodgodpod, subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod and celebrate our 10th Anniversary with new merch at https://shop.bloodgodpod.com Also in this episode: Fahrensius' origin story Cyberpunk: Edgerunners 2 Subnautica news Final Fantasy IX Retrospective Kat says "The MMOs don't count" and I'll never forgive her Gundam TCG The Tale of the Talking Finger Timestamps: 6:56 - Main Topic - Mailbag - What RPG would you speedrun? 14:56 - What ISN'T an RPG? 28:28 - What sharacter have we seen age the most? 37:20 - What's Nadia's favourite pizza place? 45:20 - What games use non-active party members the best? 55:44 - Where does Poe's name come from? 57:20 - Boardgame Sidequest? 1:02:16 - Random Encounters 1:24:40 - The Tavern 1:47:32 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook Music Used in this Episode: Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III] Pub - [Lunar Knights] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] Not Alone Jazz Arrangement - [Square Enix Jazz - Final Fantasy] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Note: Microsoft and the Xbox brand remain subjects of the BDS (Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions) movement for their complicity in the ongoing apartheid and genocide of Palestine. In the interest of journalism we've chosen to cover Microsoft's recent layoffs but encourage you to visit https://www.bdsmovement.net/microsoft for more information.In the wake of an 80 billion dollar investment in AI and the layoff of over 9000 workers, Microsoft ain't lookin' so hot. What does this mean for the rest of the video game industry? Special guest Giovanni Colantonio joins Eric and Nadia to precisely that!Tune in to live recordings of the show every Saturday morning at https://www.twitch.tv/bloodgodpod, subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod and celebrate our 10th Anniversary with new merch at https://shop.bloodgodpod.com Also in this episode: The starfish part of Animorphs Who tanks the Uber driver? Persona 5: The Phantom X's Subway Slammer Summer Games Done Quick Battle Train Rematch Umamusume Timestamps: 6:56 - Main Topic - What Is Happening At Xbox? 1:02:16 - Random Encounters 1:04:00 - The Tavern 1:20:32 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook Music Used in this Episode: Entry of the Gladiators - [Julius Fucik] Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III] Pub - [Lunar Knights] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] Palma - [Phantasy Star] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

To celebrate our 4th Annual Trans Lifeline Charity Livestream, Sena Bryer of Final Fantasy XIV fame is here to fight to the death! Kat, Nadia, Eric, and Sena will enter the ring with their favorite Final Fantasy but only one can emerge victorious. It's a debate for the ages with hot takes that would make a purposely-inflammatory youtube thumbnail blush. You'll pay for the whole seat but you'll only need the edge on this very special episode of Axe of the Blood God!Tune in to live recordings of the show every Saturday morning at https://www.twitch.tv/bloodgodpod, subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod and celebrate our 10th Anniversary with new merch at https://shop.bloodgodpod.com Also in this episode: Final Fantasy XVI for Switch 2 Monster Hunter Update Why Sakaguchi was the Boss The Front Mission 3 Disaster Timestamps: 14:52 - Main Topic - Defend Your Favorite Final Fantasy 1:29:08 - Random Encounters 1:38:38 - The Tavern - Kat's Attempt to Finish FF7 Rebirth, and FFXIV Update 1:20:32 - SENA'S NOSTALGIA NOOK Music Used in this Episode: Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III] Pub - [Lunar Knights] Filter Branch - [PlayOnline Viewer] Final Fantasy Main Theme - [Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We're halfway through 2025 and if we were only judging years by the quality of their RPGs this would be a pretty good one! By every other metric; it sure is a year!This week Kat, Nadia, and Eric are recapping the RPG standouts of the year so far and predicting what hits we still have on the horizon!Tune in to live recordings of the show every Saturday morning at https://www.twitch.tv/bloodgodpod, subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod and celebrate our 10th Anniversary with new merch at https://shop.bloodgodpod.com Also in this episode: Clair Obscur 100 Line Final Fantasy x Magic: The Gathering Monster Hunter Wilds PC optimization Elden Ring: Nightreign's longevity Kingdom Come Deliverance II Fantasy Life i Deltarune 3 + 4 Pokemon Legends Z-A A lot of Pokemon Scarlet and Violet Discourse Timestamps: 9:04 - Main Topic - 2025 So Far 46:56 - 2025 RPGs to Watch Out For 1:01:16 - Random Encounters I dunno, it just blends into Random Encounter lately - The Tavern 1:20:32 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook Music Used in this Episode: Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III] Pub - [Lunar Knights] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] Abandoned Ship - [Pokemon Ruby and Sapphire] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's time to duel!The Final Fantasy Magic: The Gathering set is here and the hosts have been ripping packs and building decks. Kat, Nadia, and Eric are joined by special guest Shivam Bhatt to dive into the deep cuts, the flavor, the art, and everything about this landmark moment in FF and MtG history.Also, it's me; I'm the FFXIII guy who knows what Fal'cie and L'cie are. It's honestly pretty straightforward.Tune in to live recordings of the show every Saturday morning at https://www.twitch.tv/bloodgodpod, subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod and celebrate our 10th Anniversary with new merch at https://shop.bloodgodpod.com Also in this episode: Fantasy Life i How fish give birth The Zelda Movie Eric's journey to Summer Games Fest The Expanse RPG Critical Role's move to crush Dungeons & Dragons Eric's phrase of the day! Timestamps: 5:40 - Main Topic - Magic: the Gathering Primer 42:56 - How to Get Into Magic 1:06:16 - Random Encounters 1:35:12 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook Music Used in this Episode: Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] Mhaura Selbina Voyager - [Final Fantasy Tribute Thanks] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Editor's Note: While we opted to cover this showcase, we would be remiss if we didn't once again highlight the ongoing Xbox boycott A Persona 4 remake! An Xbox handheld! Some actual RPGs! But no Fable? Kat and Nadia react to the Xbox Showcase and speculate on what's in store in 2026. Tune in to live recordings of the show every Saturday morning at https://www.twitch.tv/bloodgodpod, subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod and celebrate our 10th Anniversary with new merch at https://shop.bloodgodpod.com Timestamps: 0:10 - Xbox handheld reax 7:20 - Persona 4 Revival 10:39 - Clockwork Revolution 13:46 - Roundup: Animo, Fallout 76, and more 22:00 - Xbox's outlook in 2026 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode is a Podcast Key Card™. To download the episode, an internet connection and enough free space in your Nintendo Switch 2 system memory or microSD Express card are required. Once the episode is downloaded, you’re ready to play!Kat and Nadia recap their Switch 2 experience so far, what RPGs to look forward to in the Switch 2's future, and what was announced at Sony's State of Play and Summer Games Fest.Tune in to live recordings of the show every Saturday morning at https://www.twitch.tv/bloodgodpod, subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod and celebrate our 10th Anniversary with new merch at https://shop.bloodgodpod.com Also in this episode: Bravely Default HD Cyberpunk 2077 Pokemon Scarlet and Violet Link's Awakening Final Fantasy x Magic: The Gathering Pre-Release Timestamps: 7:12 - Main Topic - Switch 2 Impressions 40:16 - Random Encounters 43:44 - State of Play and Summer Games Fest Recap 1:04:48 - Nintendo Store 1:20:32 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook Music Used in this Episode: Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] Group (Meal) - [Yu-No] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

FromSoftware's multiplayer Elden Ring experience is here and we're here to figure out exactly what it even is. Kat, Nadia, Eric, and special guest Mitchell Saltzman discuss this divisive new addition to Elden Ring and more on this week's Axe of the Blood God!Tune in to live recordings of the show every Saturday morning at https://www.twitch.tv/bloodgodpod, subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod and celebrate our 10th Anniversary with new merch at https://shop.bloodgodpod.com In this episode: Persona 4 remake seemingly confirmed by the OG voice cast? Switch 2 game key cards woes EA abandoning RPGs Mario Kart FOMO Summer Games Fest predictions A power drill down the pants Timestamps: 6:50 - Main Topic - Elden Ring: Nightreign 47:16 - Random Encounters 1:13:36 - SGF Predictions 1:25:12 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook Music Used in this Episode: Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III] Pub - [Lunar Knights] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] Rememberance - [Vagrant Story] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Nintendo Switch™ Family of Video Gaming Entertainment Consoles is dead. Long live the Nintendo Switch 2™ Family of Video Gaming Entertainment Consoles.Kat, Nadia, and Eric deliver the final judgement on the Switch's contributions to the RPG landscape. From Pokemon's bumpy road to Fire Emblem's revival to Square's blunderbuss, it's all here in this satisfyingly clickable episode of Axe of the Blood God!Tune in to live recordings of the show every Saturday morning at https://www.twitch.tv/bloodgodpod, subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod and celebrate our 10th Anniversary with new merch at https://shop.bloodgodpod.com In this episode: Xenoblade Chronicles 3 Octopath Traveler/2 Pokemon's Switch Legacy Animal Crossing: New Horizons Xenoblade Chronicles X Timestamps: 5:50 - Main Topic - Switch RPG Quest: Definitive Edition 1:00:56 - Random Encounters 1:11:04 - The Tavern - Fantasy Life 1:22:16 - Xenoblade Chronicles X Final Thoughts 1:31:20 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook Music Used in this Episode: Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III] Pub - [Lunar Knights] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] Your Voice - [Xenoblade Chronicles X] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You're getting 'Norted! And you're getting 'Norted! And YOU'RE getting 'Norted!Xakt, Dianxa, Ixerc, and special guest Kexim are here to discuss the old adage; "When Nomura closes one door, he opens another with a very large key"Missing Link's cancellation and Kingdom Hearts IV's new screenshots have stirred up conversation and Giant Bomb's own KH expert Mike Minotti is here to tell us all about itTune in to live recordings of the show every Saturday morning at https://www.twitch.tv/bloodgodpod, subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod and celebrate our 10th Anniversary with new merch at https://shop.bloodgodpod.com Also in this episode: Justice for 358/2 Days Nintendo Store San Fransisco Bravely Default HD Do serial killers like Aerosmith? Timestamps: 10:08 - Main Topic - What is the future of Kingdom Hearts? 47:20 - Random Encounters 49:12 - Final Fantasy x Magic the Gathering 1:04:48 - Nintendo Store 1:25:00 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook Music Used in this Episode: Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III] Pub - [Lunar Knights] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] Dearly Beloved (Swing Ver.) - [Kingdom Hearts: Melody of Memory] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The maps are mini but the discourse is maxi!Kat, Nadia, and Victor embrace their cartographical spirit this week as they discuss the pros and cons of the mini-map; Does EVERY game need them? Do NO games need them? At what point should you meet the game's systems where they are and adapt? Find out on this week's disorientingly good episode of Axe of the Blood God!Tune in to live recordings of the show every Saturday morning at https://www.twitch.tv/bloodgodpod, subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod and celebrate our 10th Anniversary with new merch at https://shop.bloodgodpod.com Also in this episode: LIVE reactions as the Final Fantasy x Magic: the Gathering cards are revealed! Sakura Wars 2 fan-translation Dokyusei Tokimeki Memorial ~forever with you~ Emotional Play Maddy Thorson's latest Super Mario World romhack, Masterpiece, with art by friend of the show, darcydee Miserable Canadian clowns Timestamps: 07:20 - Main Topic - Do RPGs need mini-maps? 40:44 - Random Encounters 45:20 - Final Fantasy x Magic the Gathering Reactions 1:02:08 - The Tavern: Sakura Wars 2, Dokyusei, Tokimeki Memorial 1:20:20 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook Music Used in this Episode: Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III] Pub - [Lunar Knights] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] Continuation of the Dream - [Sakura Wars 2] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The rent is too damn high!Hey, it's rough out there. But as development costs climb, retail prices skyrocket, and the institutional knowledge of decades of journalism slips out from under us due to corporate greed, Kat, Nadia, and Eric are at least here to explain what this means for the future of RPGs!Tune in to live recordings of the show every Saturday morning at https://www.twitch.tv/bloodgodpod, subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod and celebrate our 10th Anniversary with new merch at https://shop.bloodgodpod.com Also in this episode: Gameification of Disney World Chrono Trigger remake - PSYCH! Fandom is the worst website in the world Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 impressions update! Final Fantasy Magic: The Gathering hype Timestamps: 05:50 - Main Topic - What to do about expensive video games 52:08 - Random Encounters 55:24 - Polygon and Giant Bomb's collapse 1:10:28 - Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 update 1:30:16 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook Music Used in this Episode: Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] Enjoyment Theme - [Sakura Wars 2] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sacre Bleu! Incroyable! Tabarnak! We get to say all these words and more on this week's episode of Axe of the Blood God, which is about Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. Special guest Kenneth Shepard joins Kat, Nadia, and Eric (they're together again!) on this quest to ask this Paintress lady what her whole deal is. Also in this episode:  Stop right there, criminal scum! Suddenly, Oblivion Remastered. Breath of Fire 4 is on PC! What does this portend? The Gang Pre-Orders the Switch 2 The Hundred Line is just what the Danganronpa sicko ordered. We drive a carpool directly into a dancing baby. Timestamps: 00:00 - Intro/Housekeeping 03:00 - Main Topic (Clair Obscur review) 50:15 - Random Encounters 1:00:04 - The Tavern 1:39:38 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook Music used in this episode: Do Your Best! (Breath of Fire III) Patty's Pub (Dragon Quest XI) A Curious Tale (Secret of Mana) Je Suis Fatigue (Tom Cardy) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How many licks DOES it take to get to the center of a Tootsie Pop? Eric, Nadia, and special guest Lucas White won't find out in the Lunar: Remastered Collection but they'll sure discuss localization choices like it. Find out if the new re-release does justice to these cult classics of the 32-bit era. Tune in to live recordings of the show every Saturday morning at https://www.twitch.tv/bloodgodpod, subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod and celebrate our 10th Anniversary with new merch at https://shop.bloodgodpod.com Also in this episode: Updates on the Switch 2 pre-orders SaGa x Vampire Survivors for the sickos Eric's Sunderfolk review Why Pokemon cards are BANNED Timestamps: 09:08 - Main Topic - Switch 2 Hands-on Impressions 52:08 - Random Encounters 56:08 - The Tavern - Switch 2, SaGa x Vampire Survivors, Sunderfolk 1:35:24 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook Music Used in this Episode: Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III] Pub - [Lunar Knights] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] Adventure Road - [Lunar 2 - Eternal Blue] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I am the Black Mage! I casts the spells that makes the peoples fall down! Time to put on your robe and wizard hat; we're talkin' Black Mages! From Vivi to Donald Duck, all your favourite magic missile-slingers are here and ready to nuke Eric, Nadia, and special guest Timothy Monbleau! Special Thanks to Edwyn "Omahdon" Tiong, voice of Black Mage. Tune in to live recordings of the show every Saturday morning at https://www.twitch.tv/bloodgodpod, subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod and celebrate our 10th Anniversary with new merch by Nina Matsumoto at https://shop.bloodgodpod.com Also in this episode: Final Fantasy XIII re-examined?! Blue Prince Impressions Amagami mentioned Everyone's Donald Duck impressions Timestamps: 04:00 - Main Topic - Switch 2 Hands-on Impressions 1:04:40 - Random Encounters 1:05:56 - The Tavern - Final Fantasy XIII and Blue Prince 1:31:41 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook Music Used in this Episode: Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III] Pub - [Lunar Knights] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] Mystic Mysidia - [Final Fantasy IV: Celtic Moon] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Should've called it the Swiitch. Kat, Nadia, Eric, and special guest Brian Shea tell you everything you need to know about the Nintendo Direct Switch 2 announcements plus Brian's hands-on experience at the recent press event. There's a slew of RPGs of all stars and stripes heading for the console. Whether you'll be able to get your little hands on them without selling a body part or two remains to be seen. But at least we can talk about them for free! Tune in to live recordings of the show every Saturday morning at https://www.twitch.tv/bloodgodpod, subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod and celebrate our 10th Anniversary with new merch by Nina Matsumoto at https://shop.bloodgodpod.com Also in this episode: Mario Kart Worlds Donkey Kong Bananza Bring back Mario Paint Dark Pictionary Timestamps: 04:00 - Main Topic - Switch 2 Hands-on Impressions 1:03:12 - Random Encounters 1:05:16 - The Tavern - Switch 2's RPG Line-up 1:40:40 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook Music Used in this Episode: Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III] Pub - [Lunar Knights] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] Romantic Vagrant - [Bravely Default: Flying Fairy] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This podcast of mine glows with an awesome power! Its hot takes tell me to treat you! TAKE THIS! My love, my anger, and ALL my opinions! Super Robot Wars is joined by some other games also announced in the opening left hook of the Nintendo Direct one-two punch combo. Tune in to live recordings of the show every Saturday morning at https://www.twitch.tv/bloodgodpod, subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod and celebrate our 10th Anniversary with new merch by Nina Matsumoto at https://shop.bloodgodpod.com Also in this episode: What games do we want to see "Switch 2 Versions" of? The bizarre development behind Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines 2 How to get a pet in Night City Pokemon TCG Pocket Update Don't smoke Timestamps: 06:20 - Main Topic - Nintendo Direct 58:40 - Random Encounters 1:08:16 - Pillars of Eternity Anniversary 1:15:46 - The Tavern - Cyberpunk and Pokemon TCG Pocket 1:40:40 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook Music Used in this Episode: Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] The Lazy Detective Agency - [Devil Summoner: Raidou Kuzunoha vs. the Soulless Army] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Living here in New LA, fighting villains from afar. You got to find first gear in your giant robot car. The Xenoblade saga on Switch is now complete with the inclusion of Xenoblade Chronicles X (Xenoblade Cross if you're nasty). But it's been 10 years since the original release on WiiU; has it aged well? The very idea of video games "aging well" is a concept invented by tech-capitalists so don't ask me that. Instead ask "How much of the current open-world RPG landscape do we owe to it, do the gameplay elements designed for the WiiU transpose to the Switch well, and exactly how fantastic a game is it?" All these questions and more will be answered by Kat, Nadia, Eric, and Victor on this interstellar episode of Axe of the Blood God! Tune in to live recordings of the show every Saturday morning at https://www.twitch.tv/bloodgodpod, subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod and celebrate our 10th Anniversary with new merch by Nina Matsumoto at https://shop.bloodgodpod.com Also in this episode: Tuning the skill floor of the player vs the encounter Kat's many adventures at GDC Palworld's still at it What we want out of a Persona 4 remake Timestamps: 08:00 - Main Topic - Xenoblade Chronicles X 53:50 - Random Encounters 1:01:54 - Tavern - GDC 1:32:30 - Persona 4 Remake Wishes 1:40:40 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook Music Used in this Episode: Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] Your Voice - [Xenoblade Chronicles X] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The only two good things to come out economic recession. Eric, Nadia, and special guest Lucas White are here to give the long-running, cult-classic Atelier series it's flowers. But can the latest entry, Yumia, hang with the Ryzas and the Maries and the Irises and the Eschas and the Logys? Listen up to find out! Tune in to live recordings of the show every Saturday morning at https://www.twitch.tv/bloodgodpod and subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod Also in this episode: Should you play Final Fantasy XIV constantly? The cultural importance of The Problems Clown Wizardry Variants Daphne Nadia rolls credits on Monster Hunter Wilds New merch by Nina Matsumoto available now at https://shop.bloodgodpod.com Timestamps: 08:00 - Main Topic - What is Atelier? 49:32 - Random Encounters 52:32 - Tavern 1:19:28 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook Music Used in this Episode: Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] Reminiscent Hill - [Atelier Ayesha] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oscar season has passed but the stars are still out; all 108 of them! Kat, Nadia, and Eric are joined by a special guest who literally wrote the book on Suikoden; Aidan Moher! They discuss the ups and downs of the recently released remaster and whether they are the versions of Suikoden you should play! Tune in to live recordings of the show every Saturday morning at https://www.twitch.tv/bloodgodpod and subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod Also in this episode: Other Suikoden news of varying quality! Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Adult Swim memories Timestamps: 10:24 - Main Topic - Suikoden I&II HD Remaster 51:12 - Random Encounters 1:08:00 - The Tavern - Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 1:32:16 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook Music Used in this Episode: Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] A Bustling Town - [Suikoden II] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Wanna feel old? Well don't! You're only 10 years older than you were when Axe of the Blood God started and if you placed the entirety of your life so far in Carl Sagan's cosmic calendar you would exist as a mere blip in the final second of the final day. But there's never been a better blip to exist in than this one if you're really into RPGs! So join Kat, Nadia, Eric, and Victor as they discuss what they believe to be the finest RPGs the last 10 years had to offer. Whether you're a new listener or you've been with us since the beginning, thank you for your support. Here's to 10 more bloody years! Tune in to live recordings of the show every Saturday morning at https://www.twitch.tv/bloodgodpod and subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod Also in this episode: Pokemon Direct update! A very special appearance by Ben Starr New merch by Nina Matsumoto available now at https://shop.bloodgodpod.com Timestamps: 06:20 - Main Topic - Top 10 RPGs of the Past Ten Years 1:42:52 - Random Encounters 1:57:46 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook Music Used in this Episode: Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] Matoya's Cave (Airship Cruise Beats Version) - [Square Enix Airship Cruise Beats] *SPOILERS* THE FINAL LIST: 10- Octopath Traveler II 9- Xenoblade Chronicles 3 8- Persona 5 7- Fire Emblem: Three Houses 6- NieR: Automata 5- Final Fantasy XIV: Shadowbringers 4- Elden Ring 3- Undertale 2- Baldur's Gate III 1- Disco Elysium Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's just another MonHun Monday! Bring your Cool Drinks to survive the Hot Takes in our review of Monster Hunter Wilds. Will this be the entry that makes MonHun skeptics take the leap? Kat, Nadia, and Eric discuss this Elder Dragon-sized game! Tune in to live recordings of the show every Saturday morning at https://www.twitch.tv/bloodgodpod and subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod Also in this episode: Final Fantasy x Magic: The Gathering Remembering 10 Years of Blood God Why are we not excited about new Avatar? NetEase layoffs Lunchboxes! Timestamps: 05:20 - Main Topic - Monster Hunter Wilds Review 40:52 - Random Encounters - 10 Years of Blood God 59:12 - The Tavern - Final Fantasy x Magic: The Gathering 1:17:52 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook Music Used in this Episode: Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] The Village of Wind and Meadow - [Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Obsidian's new covert entry in the Pillars of Eternity world is out now; but is it just a Skyrim-like? I don't mind telling you upfront; no. But what IS it, I hear you screaming? Kat, Nadia, Eric, and special guest John Carson are here to tell you! Tune in to live recordings of the show every Saturday morning at https://www.twitch.tv/bloodgodpod and subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod Also in this episode: The February Cornucopia of RPGs Pokemon TCG Pocket update! The State of Magic: The Gathering *hacker voice* I'm in Timestamps: 05:04 - Main Topic - Avowed 43:02 - Random Encounters 1:00:48 - Magic: The Gathering 1:12:46 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook Music Used in this Episode: Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] South Town Guitarist ~ Summer - [Tokimeki Memorial 2] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The only thing orthodox about this episode of Axe of the Blood God is the allusions the Catholicism! Eric is joined by special guest Leana Hafer to talk RPG news and they're both joined by other special-guest Jason Fanelli and other other special guest Nadia Oxford to dig into one of the biggest RPGs of 2025 so far; Kingdom Come: Deliverance II Tune in to live recordings of the show every Saturday morning at https://www.twitch.tv/bloodgodpod and subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod Also in this episode: Mechabellum Final Fantasy XIV Live Letter feat. Victor's Mini-Dropouts Civilization VII Eric's Final Fantasy XII update Video games are water Timestamps: 07:12 - Main Topic - Kingdom Come: Deliverance II 56:26 - Random Encounters 1:23:08 - The Tavern 1:44:28 - Leana's Nook Music Used in this Episode: Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III] Pub - [Boktai DS] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] Chaotic Bar - [Phantasy Star Online ] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It is once again Letter Tiiiiiiime. Kat, Nadia, and Eric answer YOUR burning questions like: What are some big freaky guys? If you'd like a chance to have your letters read on a future episode join us over on the discord! Tune in to live recordings of the show every Saturday morning at https://www.twitch.tv/bloodgodpod and subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod Also in this episode: The future of BioWare after layoffs How to handle spoilers and learn to appreciate the journey Final thoughts on Persona 3 Reload Getting very bad grades Timestamps: 04:22 - What Will Major Franchises Look Like When The Creators Are Gone? 12:48 - What Cybernetic Parts/Tattoos Do You Want? 19:36 - How Do You Pick A Game Back Up? 26:24 - Will We See A World With Shorter RPGs? 34:08 - Newsletter Wishlist 39:44 - Freaky Big Guys 44:28 - Should We Bring Back Fixed Camera Angles/Pre-rendered Backgrounds? 48:24 - What Folklore and Myth Would You Like To See Explored? 52:24 - Plans For More Audio Commentaries? 58:40 - Random Encounters 1:03:24 - The Tavern 1:20:16 - This Week In Gekkoukan 1:30:40 - Citizen Sleeper 2 1:27:44 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook Music Used in this Episode: Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III] Pub - [Boktai DS] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] Here She Comes - [Xenosaga Episode II] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If it is then Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is looking like The Birth of Venus. Why did turn-based RPGs ever fall out of vogue? Did they ever? Kat, Nadia, and Eric discuss the mainstream resurgence of the turn-based RPG and wether we might be seeing even more on the horizon. All that and more on this menu-based episode of Axe of the Blood God! Tune in to live recordings of the show every Saturday morning at https://www.twitch.tv/bloodgodpod and subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod Also in this episode: Dragon Age: The Veilguard Post-Mortem Dynasty Warriors: Origins Ys Memoire: The Oath in Felghana The Fast And The Furious is the Yakuza of movies Timestamps: 05:50 - Main Topic - Are We In A Turn-Based Renaissance? 46:20 - Random Encounters 49:24 - The Tavern 1:27:44 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook Music Used in this Episode: Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III] Pub - [Boktai DS] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] Spumoni - Franca's Cafe - [Phantasy Star Online 2] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Switch 2 is here! Well, it's THERE. Somewhere. But now we know that when it gets HERE it will look like that! And sometimes that's all you can ask for in this crazy world. Join Kat, Nadia, Eric, and Good Vibe's Gaming's Jon Cartwright as they discuss everything we know and everything we DON'T know about Nintendo's new console. Tune in to live recordings of the show every Saturday morning at https://www.twitch.tv/bloodgodpod and subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod Also in this episode: Remembering David Lynch's monumental influence on gaming The dark side of Mario Paint Kat's Final Fantasy XIV Progress report! Timestamps: 04:16 - Main Topic - SWITCH 2 REVEALED 59:44 - Random Encounters 1:36:32 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook Music Used in this Episode: Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] Audrey's Dance - [Twin Peaks] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If everything is an RPG then nothing is an RPG. Nadia, Eric, and special guest Reb Valentine are here to discuss the RPG-ification of games over the past decade and change; what does it mean to adopt RPG-like mechanics? When are systems metaphor for player action and when are they a means to pad out a progression loop for commercial value? Are either of those things better than the other? All this philosophy and more, Horatio, on this episode of Axe of the Blood God! Tune in to live recordings of the show every Saturday morning at https://www.twitch.tv/bloodgodpod and subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod Also in this episode: Harvest Moon Memories Our holiday gaming sessions BIG GAMES COMING TO SWITCH 2 Nine Sols What's wrong with game awards categories Final Fantasy XII is a really good video game Snakes & Ladders Timestamps: 05:50 - Main Topic - Why Is Every Game An RPG Now? 1:03:32 - Random Encounters 1:08:04 - The Tavern 1:45:20 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook Music Used in this Episode: Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III] Pub - [Boktai DS] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] Lilycove City - [Pokemon Ruby and Sapphire] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's a new year, and that means a whole lot more RPGs are on the way to ruin our backlogs and occupy our time. Kat, Nadia, and Eric gather together to talk about all the big hits you should look out for, as well as: What's Nintendo going to do in 2025? Who drew Persian like that? The Blood God buys the super-expensive Terra statue? Timestamps: 00:00 - Intro 01:50 - The 2025 RPG Preview Music used in this episode: The AOTBG Intro Theme Sophisticated Fight [The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Blood God hosts are taking a quick holiday break so as a treat we're pulling a classic episode of Pantheon of the Blood God out from behind the paywall! Listen to this deep-dive into Dragon Quest Builders 2 and if you like what you hear subscribe at the $10 tier to access the entire back catalogue of Pantheon of the Blood God. Or better yet, give the gift of the Blood God this holiday season with Patreon's new subscription gifting feature. Regular episodes will be back soon but until then enjoy this classic: Dragon Quest Builders 2 is an action RPG that's literally about building yourself up from scratch. You cook the food that sustains you. You build the forges that fire your swords. Heck, you want to sleep in an Inn? Build it yourself, lazybones. And when you do, it just feels so good. Minecraft's blood runs thick through Dragon Quest Builders 2, but Square Enix's game adds so much more to Mojang's classic block-building phenomenon. At least that's what Nadia says. But is it Pantheon worthy? That's what Eric and Nadia are here to discuss alongside two very prominent Builders with beautiful voices: Jon Cartwright and Brandon Jones!  Topics of Discussion: The joys of building affronts to God Malroth Rulez #1 Are these Bri'ish accents actually any good? Eric builds one big toilet for his villagers and forces them all to go at the same time Tom Nook blows goats, I have proof. Music Used in Episode: The Dragon Quest Theme (Dragon Quest Builders 2) Cave Theme (Dragon Quest Builders 2) Bustling City (Dragon Quest Builders 2) Gateway (Mega Man X8) Village Theme: Khrumble Dun (Dragon Quest Builders 2) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The appointed time is upon us. You've waited all year to hear the Axe of the Blood God's best RPG picks for 2024 (er, right?) and we're ready to dish. Nadia, Kat, and Eric hash out the winners in this extra thicc episode. Several categories are up for discussion beyond "Best RPG of 2024," such as this year's best character performance, this year's best visuals, and, uh, this year's best "freaky little guy." To listen is to understand, so shove this episode into your ear-holes, and we'll see you in 2025. Thanks for your continued support! Also in this episode 2024's biggest RPG news stories Our holiday plans (spoilers, we're all putting down roots for two weeks)  TEETH TEETH TEETH Jingle Bells, Santa smells [like sulphur]  Timestamps 00:00 - Intro   05:10 - RPG Awards 1:36:42 - Random Encounters 1:38:27 - The Tavern 1:56:50 - Nostalgia Pit Music used in this episode Don't Cry, Baby [Ragnarok Online] Jenova Lifeclinger [Final Fantasy VII Rebirth] Game Opening [Metaphor] Heismay's Awakening [Metaphor] Faring in the Ocean [Steamworld Heist 2] No Promises to Keep [Final Fantasy VII Rebirth] Warriors of Valor [Metaphor] The Promised Consort [Shadow of the Erdtree] Brush Your Teeth [Raffi] Campanella Stage 1 [UFO 50] Adventure [Dragon Quest III 2DHD] Mass Destruction [Persona 3 Reload] Hero's Awakening [Metaphor] Do Your Best! [Breath of Fire III] Patty's Pub [Dragon Quest IX] Ding Fries are Done [Peter Griffin] Welcome, My Lord [Ragnarok Online] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It is done. Geoff Keighley descended from Gamer Mountain with the results of 2024's Game Awards scrawled onto two stone tablets. (Brought to you by Mountain Dew.) Kat, Eric, and Nadia understandably have opinions about the games that were snubbed, and the games that received recognition. How about you? Do you agree with Geoff's decrees? Are you with us? Or against us? Listen to this episode and use your heart to decide. And make sure to have a hard think about overlooked gems this year while we talk about our own "hidden" favourites. Tune in to live recordings of the show every Saturday morning at https://www.twitch.tv/bloodgodpod and subscribe for bonus episodes and Discord access at https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod Also in this episode Intergalactic planetary, planetary Intergalactic Give Steam World Heist 2 its due Siri has opinions about Witcher 4's Ciri Eric's cat has opinions about everything Sweet Valley Twins fans rise up Time stamps 00:00 - Intro 08:30 - Main topic: The 2024 Game Awards 47:21 - Random Encounters 52:27 - The Tavern: Overlooked RPG Gems for 2024 1:19:52 - The Nostalgia Nook Music used in this episode Battle Theme [Metaphor: Refantazio] Do Your Best! [Breath of Fire III] It's a Sin [Pet Shop Boys] Paddy's Pub [Dragon Quest IX] A Curious Tale [Secret of Mana] Faring in the Ocean [Steam Powered Giraffe] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pour yourself a delicious bowl of proprietary memory cards and fire up an unskippable cutscene; we're talking all about what 30 years of Playstation has meant for RPGs! Are we in a better timeline than the one where Square stuck with Nintendo? Find out on this week's episode! Tune in to live recordings of the show every Saturday morning at https://www.twitch.tv/bloodgodpod and subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod Also in this episode: Pokemon TCG Pocket Update! What's happening with Elden Ring 2? Path of Exile 2 Fantasian: Neo Dimension is here! Timestamps: 01:44 - Main Topic - How Playstation Shaped RPG History 54:08 - Random Encounters 1:01:16 - The Tavern 1:28:24 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook Music Used in this Episode: Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III] Pub - [Boktai DS] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] A Good Beating - [Fantasian] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Blood God hosts are taking a quick holiday break so as a treat we're pulling a classic episode of Pantheon of the Blood God out from behind the paywall! Listen to this deep-dive into Lunar: Silver Star Story and if you like what you hear subscribe at the $10 tier to access the entire back catalogue of Pantheon of the Blood God. Or better yet, give the gift of the Blood God this holiday season with Patreon's new subscription gifting feature. Regular episodes will be back soon, including our year-end lists, but until then enjoy this classic: For the March 2023 edition of the Pantheon of the Blood God, Kat, Nadia, and Eric are joined by Anthony John Agnello and Aidan Moher for Lunar: The Silver Star Story! Their increasingly unhinged conversation covers the following: The story of Working Designs Luna's Boat Song SHADOW MADNESS And much, much more! Then the verdict: Is Lunar: Silver Star Story worthy of the Pantheon of the Blood God? Listen in and find out! As always, a huge thanks to our $10 and up Patrons for all your support! Every month we pick a new RPG for Pantheon contention, which is voted on by the Blood God community at large. Next up: Super Mario RPG! Join the Discord to discuss the episode, and to follow our Monthly Game Club discussions! Time Stamps 00:00 - Introduction 05:00 - Hosts' history with the Lunar series 24:20 - Lunar's development history 57:29 - Critical reception 1:16:20 - Does Lunar deserve to be in the Pantheon? 1:43:20 - The Verdict 1:56:00 - Outro Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I hope you don't mind missables because there's no perfect route through this episode; it's time for Romancing SaGa! Kat, Nadia, and Eric are enlightened by special guest Lucas White's SaGa knowledge as they discuss both of this year's SaGa entries: Emerald Beyond and Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven! Tune in to live recordings of the show every Saturday morning at https://www.twitch.tv/bloodgodpod and subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod Also in this episode: Who got snubbed in the Keighleys? Is Sony going to ruin anime forever? What is Obsidian cooking with Avowed? Final Fantasy XIV Update! Timestamps: 07:44 - Main Topic - Romancing SaGa Primer 41:22 - Random Encounters 45:24 - The Tavern 1:28:24 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook Music Used in this Episode: Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III] Pub - [Boktai DS] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] Battle - [Romancing SaGa 2] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As Canadian kid's game show "UH-OH" character Punisher once said; IT'S SLIME TIME. Kat, Nadia, Eric, and special guest Cam Hawkins discuss the newest DQ from SE. Is the HD-2D remake of Famicom classic Dragon Quest III the definitive version? Is it a good jumping off point for new players of the series? Did you know it's actually Dragon Quest VI in Japan? All this and more in this episode of Axe of the Blood God! Tune in to live recordings of the show every Saturday morning at https://www.twitch.tv/bloodgodpod and subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod Also in this episode: Pokemon TCG Pocket update! A whole lotta Falcom talk for the Ys and Trails/Kiseki-heads Eric's Dragon Age: The Veilguard update Nadia teaches us how to swear Victor finally picks a theme song for The Tavern Timestamps: 00:00 - Main Topic - Dragon Quest III HD-2D 37:22 - Random Encounters 47:04 - The Tavern 1:35:44 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook Music Used in this Episode: Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III] Pub - [Boktai DS] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] Village - [Dragon Quest III] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hey, it's a bit bonkers out there! Why not retreat for a moment into the human race's oldest form of escapism; video games! Games like Stardew Valley are no-brainers but you may be surprised what kinds of games our panel takes comfort in when it feels like the world is burning down around them. All this and more on this week's Axe of the Blood God! Tune in to live recordings of the show every Saturday morning at https://www.twitch.tv/bloodgodpod and subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod Also in this episode: Mario and Luigi: Brothership Mass Effect! Now for TV! Pokemon Trading Card Game Pocket Star Trek beef Kat's Persona 3 update! Timestamps: 00:00 - Main Topic - Cozy RPGs 44:40 - Random Encounters 1:01:36 - The Tavern 1:35:44 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook Music Used in this Episode: Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] Town Theme - [Story of Seasons: Friends of Mineral Town] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Everyone look under your chair and put on your custom "Kiss the Rook" aprons I've made for you because it's time to dig into another of the massive RPGs of the year -- Dragon Age: The Veilguard! From character creation to romance, from classes to dungeon design, the writing and the role-playing, the good and the bad; Kat, Nadia, Eric, and special guest Leana Hafer cover it all on this very special episode of Axe of the Blood God! Tune in to live recordings of the show every Saturday morning at https://www.twitch.tv/bloodgodpod and subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod Also in this episode: Xenoblade Chronicles X is back! Dragon Quest III HD-2D Pokemon Trading Card Game Pocket Monster Hunter Wilds Timestamps: 07:12 - Main Topic - Dragon Age: The Veilguard 1:06:40 - Random Encounters 1:11:12 - The Tavern 1:40:00 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook Music Used in this Episode: Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] Leliana's Dance - [Dragon Age: Origins] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's been a dragon's age since we've had a new Dragon Age but the time has finally arrived. Kat, Nadia, and Eric discuss the entire series, its influences, its impact, and more as we get closer to the launch of Veilguard! Tune in to live recordings of the show every Saturday morning at https://www.twitch.tv/bloodgodpod and subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod Also in this episode: Monster Hunter Wilds Beta The retro collecting rabbit hole You all need to save the Saturn talk for a Victor episode More Emio: The Smiling Man! Halloween stories Timestamps: 00:00 - Main Topic 1:06:40 - Random Encounters 1:13:20 - The Tavern 1:34:24 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

BAT! Join Kat, Nadia, and your old pal from the edit bay Victor Hunter as they discuss the hottest (and sometimes the most mechanically interesting) characters in RPGs; the dhampir! They're not JUST for bisexuals! Tune in to live recordings of the show every Saturday morning at https://www.twitch.tv/bloodgodpod and subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod Also in this episode: Come play FFXI with us Astar, a robot from Planet Danger More Metaphor! Timestamps: 00:00 - Main Topic 1:14:00 - Random Encounters 1:18:16 - The Tavern 1:31:20 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook Music Used in this Episode: Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] Solar Boy Django - [Boktai 2: Solar Boy Django] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's time to Fantazio. Again! Kat, Nadia, and Eric, are joined by IGN's Michael Higham to discuss the biggest RPG release of October, Metaphor: ReFantazio. Take a shot every time someone mentions Persona, or for the full effect take a shot every time someone doesn't mention SMT. All that plus leaks, anime recommendations, passionate pleas from Nadia to end the console wars, and more on this week's jam-packed episode of Axe of the Blood God! Tune in to live recordings of the show every Saturday morning at https://www.twitch.tv/bloodgodpod and subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod Also in this episode: The Game Freak hack Waypoint's corpse Before Your Eyes Persona 3 Update! Dragon Ball: Sparking! ZERO Timestamps: 04:16 - Main Topic 1:03:28 - Random Encounters 1:15:44 - The Tavern - Waypoint 1:53:56 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook Music Used in this Episode: Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] Cinematic Tale - [Persona Q2] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Unionizations, lay-offs, tragic passings! It's been A Year! Eric, Nadia, and special guest Jesse Vitelli discuss the biggest headlines of the year and take a look at the latest Legend of Zelda! It's an episode of tonal whiplash and fond reminiscence! Tune in to live recordings of the show every Saturday morning at https://www.twitch.tv/bloodgodpod and subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod Also in this episode: Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Games were fun! Mrs. Incredible. I'll say she is. Subscribe to Jesse's newsletter: Send News Dragon Quest at the centre of the culture war Cadet Kelly Timestamps: 00:00 - Main Topic 1:03:56 - Random Encounters 1:09:58 - The Tavern - Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom 1:33:52 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook Music Used in this Episode: Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] Skull Pirates - [Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today's extra beefy episode of Axe of the Blood God, we welcome special guest Jason Schreier and talk about his upcoming book, Play Nice: The Rise, Fall, and Future of Blizzard Entertainment. Tune in for a preview that brings context to some of Blizzard's biggest successes, mishaps, and controversies, including its campus culture, the sexual harassment lawsuit leveled against it, and the infamous Cosby Suite.  Also in this episode: First impressions of The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom Gosh, the PS5 Pro sure exists Nintendo! Put a GBA game slot on Switch 2, you cowards! See a horse? Download a horse How Nadia lost her pocket money to rigged potato chip giveaways Time Stamps 0:00 - Intro/Main topic [Blizzard] 52:34 - Random Encounters 1:18:50 - The Tavern 1:29:07 - Further Blizzard Discussion: The Cosby Suite 1:54:24 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook Music used in this episode:  Do your Best! [Breath of Fire III] Patty's Pub [Dragon Quest XI] A Curious Tale [Secret of Mana] Battle Theme [Metaphor: ReFantazio] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

No, you see these are uh... Pocket Buddies! And we don't catch'em. We seal'em! In uh, Pocket Orbs! Kat, Nadia, and Eric discuss Nintendo's suit against the creators of Palworld and what this means for patents and Pokemon-esque projects going forward. Plus, the crew has been playing some Dragon Age Veilguard! Tune in to live recordings of the show every Saturday morning at https://www.twitch.tv/bloodgodpod and subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod Also in this episode: The appeal of fine Pokemon china You'll never guess where these Pirate Yakuza are! UFO50 Final Fantasy VII Orchestra Timestamps: 03:12 - Main Topic 36:36 - Random Encounters 44:18 - The Tavern - Dragon Age 1:31:07 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook Music Used in this Episode: Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] Virbank City - [Pokemon Black and White 2] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

And it doesn't even have a new Ridge Racer. Kat, Nadia, and Eric discuss the PS5 Pro, it's fascinating price point, Astrobot, Sony's future, and more on this week's episode of Axe of the Blood God! Tune in to live recordings of the show every Saturday morning at https://www.twitch.tv/bloodgodpod and subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod Also in this episode: Emio: The Smiling Man Where are there squirrels? Praise Bahamut! A Baldur's Gate III Co-op update! When did YOUR eyesight start going, listener? Timestamps: 04:56 - Main Topic - PS5 Pro 40:32 - Random Encounters 44:32 - The Tavern 1:17:04 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook Music Used in this Episode: Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] Jungle - [PlayOnline Viewer] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For the first time since 2006's Dawn of Mana (a totally fun game, don't let anyone tell you otherwise) we have a new mainline entry in the storied Seiken Densetsu series. Does Visions of Mana prove that the mana tree still has plenty of good years left in'er, or is the vision getting blurry? Kat, Nadia, and Eric discuss this colourful action RPG and more on this episode of Axe of the Blood God! Tune in to live recordings of the show every Saturday morning at https://www.twitch.tv/bloodgodpod and subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod Also in this episode: Witch Hat Atelier Bring back Slayers! More Final Fantasy VI discussion Everyone definitely agrees Legend of Mana is the best Timestamps: 03:12 - Main Topic - Visions of Mana 39:08 - Random Encounters 43:12 - The Tavern 1:16:32 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook - CONTENT WARNING 1:22:24 - End of Content Warning Music Used in this Episode: Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] Cliff Town Gato - [Legend of Mana] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brr. Can you feel the chill in the air? Maybe you can, maybe you can't. The weather's been really screwy this summer. This week, the Blood God crew wades hip-deep into 2024's fall RPG season to evaluate what's coming, and to take a guess at which games look likeliest to bogart all their attention through September and October. Will it be the mystical Metaphor ReFantazio? The utterly charming Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom? Or perhaps the beleaguered Dragon Age Veilguard will dominate the autumn season. Listen in and shout your own choices at your audio output device. Or tune into the show live next time at twitch.tv/bloodgodpod. We show up every Saturday at 9:30 PT /12:30 ET. Also in this episode: Nadia is back, but RIP to her luggage Visions of Mana early impressions Our "canon event" games This is Tenchiverse and that "cabbit" did indeed turn into a spaceship Timestamps 00:00 - Main topic: Fall RPG Preview 55:28 - Random Encounters 1:12:13 - The Tavern 1:30:27 - Nostalgia Nook Music used in this episode Do Your Best! [Breath of Fire 3] Patty's Pub [Dragon Quest IX] A Curious Tale [Secret of Mana] Scream [Final Fantasy XIV: Endwalker] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week's episode Kat, Eric, and special guest Brian Shea discuss all the news out of Gamescom! Does Xbox still need a Mario? What is happening with Blizzard? All these questions and more will be answered in this week's episode of Axe of the Blood God! Tune in to live recordings of the show every Saturday morning at https://www.twitch.tv/bloodgodpod and subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod Also in this episode: Kat is invaded by turkeys Role-playing with sports games More Game Informer memories! Timestamps: 05:52 - Gamescom Announcements 52:48 - Random Encounters + Wukong 1:10:48 - The Tavern Music Used in this Episode: Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] Mog Resort - [Final Fantasy XI: Seekers of Adoulin] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week's episode Kat, Eric, Nadia and special guest Matt McMuscles discuss the history of beat'em ups, RPGs, and where the twain shall meet! What is the first RPG beat'em up crossover? What even IS Yakuza? How does George Kamitani tie it all together? All these questions and more will be answered in this week's very special Trans Lifeline Charity Livestream episode of Axe of the Blood God! Tune in to live recordings of the show every Saturday morning at https://www.twitch.tv/bloodgodpod and subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod Also in this episode: Tales of! The Bouncer! Legend of Mana! Shenmue! All of Victor's favs are here! Timestamps: 00:00 - Main Topic 50:28 - Random Encounters 52:16 - The Tavern 1:26:08 - Nadia's Nostalgia Pit Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week's episode Kat, Eric, and special guest Alex Van Aken discuss the current landscape of soulsbornes, the future of soulsbornes, what makes a soulsborne a soulsborne, and please can we call it something else so I can stop saying soulsborne. And no one talks about Code Vein and Stranger of Paradise enough. Tune in to live recordings of the show every Saturday morning at https://www.twitch.tv/bloodgodpod and subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod Also in this episode: Black Myth: Wukong Kaiju No 8 D23 2XKO Timestamps: 14:23 - State of Soulsbornes 59:56 - Random Encounters 103:49 - The Tavern 1:36:38 - Alex's Game Informer Nostalgia Nook Music Used in this Episode: Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] Pirates of Pravoka - [Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week's episode Kat, Eric, and special guests Saniya Ahmed and Nicole Carpenter discuss recent layoffs in both journalism and development. How will Bungie's layoffs change the future of Destiny? Does Destiny HAVE a future? Should it? All these question and more will be answered in this week's Axe of the Blood God! Tune in to live recordings of the show every Saturday morning at https://www.twitch.tv/bloodgodpod and subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod Also in this episode: Kat has nice things to say about Final Fantasy XIV Fast AND Furious? In this economy? Gathering the Magic Arranger Timestamps: 05:04 - Game Informer Layoffs 20:00 - Bungie Layoffs 50:56 - Random Encounters 58:40 - The Tavern 1:19:28 - Eric's Nostalgia Pit Music Used in this Episode: Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] rtown0 (Δ Server Aqua Capital Mac Anu) - [.hack//INFECTION] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's the Summer o' Summoners on Axe of the Blood God! We're celebrating summoners, extoling evokers, and commemorating callers! But first we have to decide who qualifies? Are Pokemon Trainers summoners? Is Ichiban a summoner? Is listening to a podcast not a kind of summoning? That's right, as far as I'm concerned YOU'RE my favourite summoner, dear listener. All this and more on this week's Axe of the Blood God! Tune in to live recordings of the show every Saturday morning at https://www.twitch.tv/bloodgodpod and subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod Also in this episode: Unionization and strikes! Courage the Cowardly Dog Eric watches terrible TV Twisters! Timestamps: 13:20 - Main Topic - Our RPG Backlogs 53:52 - Random Encounters 56:32 - The Tavern 1:19:28 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook Music Used in this Episode: Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] Keepers of the Void - [Final Fantasy Brave Exvius] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

By popular demand, it's a long-overdue look at the colossal Trails series! Kat, Nadia, and Eric are joined by Trails expert James Galizio to discuss the latest entry to celebrate the series' 20th anniversary; Trails Through Daybreak. How do you get into a series with a dozen entries in the same narrative? Is Daybreak a good place to jump in? What's the best game in the series? Tune in to live recordings of the show every Saturday morning at https://www.twitch.tv/bloodgodpod and subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod Also in this episode: MAHVEL Trading military secrets Nintendo World Championships: NES Edition Visual novels and ADV games are different things! Tsukihime is, in fact, a visual novel. Hijinks! Timestamps: 13:20 - Main Topic - Our RPG Backlogs 40:06 - Random Encounters 49:54 - The Tavern 1:21:02 - Nadia's BIRTHDAY Nook?! Music Used in this Episode: Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III] Birthday - [Monster Rancher 2] Daily Life - [Trails Through Daybreak] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We've all got one. Some are bigger than others but we can all agree that we can't get enough of'em. No, not opinions. I'm talking backlogs! Whether it's a real life shelf with a copy of Shadow Hearts you borrowed from your friend 7 years ago and can't quite bring yourself to play but also don't want to give back, or your digital shelf full of game titles you've never even heard of, we've all got games we swear we'll get around to someday. Kat, Nadia, and Victor discuss some of their biggest blind spots and more on this episode of Axe of the Blood God! Tune in to live recordings of the show every Saturday morning at https://www.twitch.tv/bloodgodpod and subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod Also in this episode: Kat is still working on Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth Megami Tensei novels in English for the first time Nadia has finished Final Fantasy XIV: Dawntrail Please go play Curse Crackers Timestamps: 13:20 - Main Topic - Our RPG Backlogs 57:20 - Random Encounters 1:07:40 - The Tavern 1:29:42 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook Music Used in this Episode: Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] Carnival Subarea - [Curse Crackers: For Whom the Belle Toils] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sometimes it's not just about the power of friendship. Even the most friend-shaped RPGs can pull the rug out from under you with a moment that makes your skin crawl. Sometimes they beat you over the head with that rug with moments that make you go "aww jeez, come on, don't do that!" On this week's Axe of the Blood God Nadia and Victor discuss their favourite(?) moments in games that embrace the creepy, the macabre, or the truly depraved. It's not the first episode where we talk about marrying cousins and it won't be the last! Tune in to live recordings of the show every Saturday morning at https://www.twitch.tv/bloodgodpod and subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod Also in this episode: We're playing Dawntrail obvs The lost Shin Megami Tensei games you can play right now! More saved feature phone games including Final Fantasy D-d-d-dimensions! Remembering Mutsumi Inoumata Timestamps: 6:40 - Main Topic - Darkest Moments in RPGs 57:52 - Random Encounters 1:20:16 - The Tavern 1:32:40 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook Music Used in this Episode: Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] Pirate Island - [Boktai 3] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

So long dads and grads; Summer is here and that means pina coladas on the beaches of Tural. And as we soak up that vitamin D we might as well reflect on the year so far. What RPGs have blown our minds, which ones not so much, and what are we looking forward to in the latter half of Anno Domini 2024? Kat, Nadia, and Eric discuss all this, plus Shadow of the Erdtree, Final Fantasy XIV: Dawntrail, and more on this week's Axe of the Blood God! Tune in to live recordings of the show every Saturday morning at https://www.twitch.tv/bloodgodpod and subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod Also in this episode: 1000xRESIST Hades 2 Dragon's Dogma 2 Demonschool Tsukihime Timestamps: 00:00 - Intro 57:20 - Random Encounters 1:02:00 - The Tavern 1:32:40 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook Music Used in this Episode: Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] Tuliyollal (Day) - [Final Fantasy XIV: Dawntrail] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I hope you like your rings elden and your trees erd because this week Kat, Nadia, Eric, and special guest Mitchell Saltzman discuss the much-anticipated Elden Ring DLC. Plus, the latest Nintendo Direct, and Eric's experience with Final Fantasy VI so far. It's a jam-packed episode this week on Axe of the Blood God! Tune in to live recordings of the show every Saturday morning at https://www.twitch.tv/bloodgodpod and subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod Also in this episode: Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom MAAAHVEL BAYBEE Fantasian Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance Do we need leakers? Final Fantasy VI is really good Timestamps: 00:00 - Intro 4:16 - Main Topic - Shadow of the Erdtree 38:04 - Random Encounters 41:28 - Nintendo Direct 1:00:40 - The Tavern 1:32:48 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook Music Used in this Episode: Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] Airship Stage - [Marvel Vs Capcom 2] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

More like Summer Games FEAST. The deluge of news simply doesn't stop. This time Kat, Nadia, Eric, and special guest Brenden Groom focus on Dragon Age: The Veilguard plus a bazillion other games that were announced over the past week. Tune in to live recordings of the show every Saturday morning at https://www.twitch.tv/bloodgodpod and subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod Also in this episode: Train Station Fist Fights! Is Super Monkey Ball and RPG? Hyper Light Breaker Monster Hunter Wilds More Metaphor Blumhouse and Sam Barlow Demonschool Timestamps: 00:00 - Intro 15:36 - Kat and Eric's Dragon Age Impressions 1:00:00 - More SGF 1:48:08 - Random Encounters 1:51:20 - The Tavern 2:02:02 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook Music Used in this Episode: Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] Jouin High School - [Shin Megami Tensei V] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We're at the SGF. We're at the Day of the Devs. We're at the Xbox Showcase. We're at the combination SGF, Day of the Devs, Xbox Showcase. Kat and Eric are joined by Michael Higham and Moises Tavares to discuss an absolute deluge of game reveals, announcements, trailers, and news. Tune in to live recordings of the show every Saturday morning at https://www.twitch.tv/bloodgodpod and subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod Also in this episode: Can Metaphor: ReFantazio bring back fantasy? Dragon Age: The Veilguard is here to fill your quip quota Starfield: Shattered Space Expedition 33 Timestamps: 00:00 - Intro 00:00 - Main Topic - It's ALL Main Topic, Baby! Good luck! Music Used in this Episode: Tuliyollal Theme - Day - [Final Fantasy XIV: Dawntrail] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The season of big summer announcements has begun! Kat, Nadia, and Eric discuss the RPG offerings Sony has revealed in the latest State of Play. What do PlayStation-playing RPG-lovers have to look forward to in the near future? Find out on this episode of Axe of the Blood God! Tune in to live recordings of the show every Saturday morning at https://www.twitch.tv/bloodgodpod and subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod Also in this episode: Monster Hunter Wilds Dragon Quest HD-2D is back! 13 Sentinels Pantheon Prologue Timestamps: 00:00 - Intro 08:51 - Main Topic - Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door 53:51 - Random Encounters 59:23 - The Tavern 1:25:58 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook Music Used in this Episode: Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] Retem City - Day View - [Phantasy Star Online 2: New Genesis] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Mario RPG remakes continue with a Gamecube classic and Kat, Nadia, and special guest Logan Plant are here to talk about it. Does the brilliant script hold up? Is the combat and progression still as fantastic as it's always been? And who is the best companion? That's easy, we all know who it is. Go on. You get one guess. And if it's wrong you need to leave. Tune in to live recordings of the show every Saturday morning at https://www.twitch.tv/bloodgodpod and subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod Also in this episode: Put Waffle House in Tekken This Week in Gekkoukan Continues A Doctor Who Primer Jenny Nicholson's doing good work Timestamps: 00:00 - Intro 03:04 - Main Topic - Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door 39:38 - Random Encounters 44:00 - The Tavern 1:17:28 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook Music Used in this Episode: Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] Rogueport - [Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's letter tiiime, it's letter tiiime!~ Axe of the Blood God's May mailbag is here, and it is loaded with some excellent questions from our listeners. The topics of discussion are, but not limited to: What stops so many of us from finishing RPGs? PS5 RPG ports we want to see on Switch 2 Do Dragon Quest Slimes taste sweet or savoury? Where's Axe of the Blood God's "Best RPG Soundtrack" segment? Huh? Huh?? Also in this episode: Sony has a new CEO, Rest in Pizza Jim Ryan. Nier's devs are working on a project that might be Nier, but we don't have Nier-ly enough information yet. Jabroni Chocobos Childhood cats, bitten and non. Timestamps: 00:00 - Intro 04:48 - Letter Time 1:07:01 - Random Encounters 1:12:09 - The Tavern 1:25:57 - Nostalgia Nook Music used in this episode: Do Your Best! - [Breath of Fire III] Patty's Pub - [Dragon Quest IX] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] Lab 16 Ruins - [Chrono Trigger] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Capitalism continues to function as intended with the closure of several studios by Microsoft. What's the future of Game Pass? What will RPGs on Microsoft platforms look like going forward? And how many lives need to be ruined by rich people before we bring back the thing that rhymes with "creatine'? Kat, Nadia, and Eric discuss this and so much more on this episode of Axe of the Blood God! Tune in to live recordings of the show every Saturday morning at https://www.twitch.tv/bloodgodpod Also in this episode: Animal Well Hades 2 Kat holds her FFXIV playthrough for a $20,000 ransom Timestamps: 00:00 - Intro 03:52 - Main Topic - Microsoft 47:28 - Random Encounters 1:0:0 - The Tavern, More or Less 1:32:32 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook Music Used in this Episode: Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] Human - [The Killers] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A slew of un-announced titles from Square Enix have just been skewered by the masamune in a grand restructuring. In the wake of Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth's sales, where does our beloved JRPG machine go from here? The odds of getting a Various Daylife 2 seem slimmer than ever. Kat, Nadia, and Eric discuss the future of the house that Final Fantasy built and more on this week's episode! Listen AD-FREE and get hundreds of hours of bonus episodes by subscribing at patreon.com/bloodgodpod Also in this Episode: Starfield Update! 9S' Therapist Knock-knock it's Knuckles! This Week in Gekkoukan continues! Stay off the Jibanyan couch Timestamps: 00:00 - Intro 04:16 - Main Topic 55:52 - Random Encounters 1:02:56 - The Tavern 1:32:48 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook Music Used in this Episode: Do Your Best! - [Breath of Fire III] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] Wait for Truth - [Live-A-Live] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Let's re-litigate like it 2015! Does Fallout 4 deserve the hate that it gets in certain circles? With the current-gen update and the TV series bringing Fore-out back to the Fall-front it's time for Kat and Eric to go head-to-head and determine if Fallout 4 is one of the greats of the genre or deserves to be cast into the Pandaemonium pit. Also in this episode: Eiyuden Chronicles' bumpy patches Metaphor ReFantazio Kat rides a rollercoaster and finishes Unicorn Overlord in that order This Week in Gekkoukan Reload continues! Hades 2 tech test impressions Timestamps: 00:00 - Intro 08:16 - Main Topic - Fallout 4 42:04 - Random Encounters 1:02:24 - The Tavern 1:26:24 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook Music Used in this Episode: Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] Crawl Out Through the Fallout - [Sheldon Allman] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When you consider inflation that's really only gonna get you as far as seventy-ish heroes. Either way the spiritual successor of Suikoden has arrived! Is it worth the wait? Did they manage to fit all them heroes into the Switch version? Eric, Nadia, and special guest Lucas White discuss this much-anticipated crowd-funded torch-bearer of the late Yoshitaka Murayama's legacy. Also in this episode: Class of Heroes Nier: AutoNadia Hades 2 Turtle Power Timestamps: 00:00 - Intro 05:52 - Main Topic 56:32 - Random Encounters 57:36 - The Tavern 1:26:24 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook Music Used in this Episode: Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] MEGALOMANIA (RF Remix) - [RF] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Did you know Walton Goggins has his own distillery? You can buy Walton Goggins-branded gin if you want. And if you, like me, happily embrace any opportunity to see beloved character-actor Walton Goggins on screen then boy howdy the new Fallout show is for you! A veritable overpour of Goggins -- much like how one might make a generous cocktail with the fine spirits from Walton Goggins' distillery! How many more times can I type 'Walton Goggins'?! At least once more; Walton Goggins! Kat, Nadia, and Eric discuss what makes a good video game adaptation, if Square can make a hit movie, and whether there's beef between Bethesda and Obsidian! Also in this episode: More Slay the Spire Why tipping for video games is a CEO grift Possibility Space's bizarre and tragic shutdown Final Fantasy's difficult position Kat played Warhammer Eric's return to Chrono Trigger Timestamps: 00:00 - Intro 08:00 - Main Topic 46:00 - Random Encounters 1:08:00 - The Tavern 1:34:40 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook Music Used in this Episode: Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] Guardia Millennial Fair - [Beer SQ] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

They share more than just fireballs! Kat and Eric are joined by special guests Brenden Groom and Mitchell Saltzman to discuss why these are two genres that taste great together! What fighting games would make a great RPG? What RPG would make a great fighting game? Where is there already plenty of crossover? And why is 2B in all of them anyway? Also in this episode: Tidus is fine The return of Kat's Persona 3 Quest!! Kissin' cousins Content Warning Timestamps: 00:00 - Intro 04:30 - Main Topic 51:32 - Random Encounters 52:40 - The Tavern 1:19:44 - Industry Story time Music Used in this Episode: Do Your Best [Breath of Fire III] Seeking Victory [Tales of Legendia] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hope you like car wrecks because this week's episode of Axe of the Blood God is hosted by Nadia Oxford. With Kat Bailey out on another cigarette run and Eric's vocal cords being shredded apart by PAX Pox, Nadia's forced to try and keep order. This week's guest is writer Jesse Vitelli, who has plenty to say about Visions of Mana, Dragon's Dogma 2, and how to get banned from Chuck E Cheese for life. Also in this episode: Balatrio? Baltaro? Balto? 20th Century [Digital] Boy Five Nights at Frederick's Canadian customs Asks Nadia the Forbidden RPG Question Timestamps: 00:00 - Intro/Dragon's Dogma 31:12 - Visions of Mana Impressions 43:08 - Random Encounters 55:43 - The Tavern 1:08:50 - Nadia and Jessie's Nostalgia Bog Music Used in this Episode: Do Your Best [Breath of Fire III] Pub Polka [Dragon Quest IX] Dedicated to Moonlight [Final Fantasy XIV] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What is this, a crossover episode?! Our old pals Bob Mackey and Henry Gilbert of Retronauts, Talking Simpsons, and What A Cartoon fame stop by the Blood God studios to offer their animation history expertise while discussing some of the biggest games of the year as well as the classics they've been catching up on. Also in this Episode: Why manga is more successful than Western comics No more Baldur's Gate from Larian Bob Cing's the praises of Another Code The golden age of Streetpassing Free stuff Timestamps: 00:00 - Intro 4:48 - Main Topic 46:24 - Random Encounters 1:29:16 - Kat's Industry Storytime Music Used in this Episode: Do Your Best! - [Breath of Fire III] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] On the Lakefront - [Another Code R] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Vanillaware has done it again; defying conventional wisdom, they've gifted us the most Sega Saturn game we've seen in ages. Emerging from an alternate universe where Ogre Battle was revered as much as it's tile-based cousins, Unicorn Overlord is here. Does it conquer this oft-unexplored branch of the SRPG family tree or is it a little too uni-corny? Join Kat, Nadia, and Eric as they discuss this exciting new entry in Vanillaware's off-beat canon. Either way there will be some VERY GOOD character designs. Also in this Episode: Backpack Battles More Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth talk! ERIC PIT?! Damedol Timestamps: 00:00 - Intro 4:48 - Main Topic - Paying Tribute to Akira Toriyama 59:04 - Random Encounters 1:02:22 - The Tavern 1:23:50 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook Music Used in this Episode: Do Your Best! - [Breath of Fire III] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] Farde mal Diavolo - [Unicorn Overlord] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Akira Toriyama died on March 1, leaving behind a legacy that includes Dragon Ball, Dragon Quest, and an incredible impact on both games and anime. With Eric out, Kat and Nadia are joined by Victor Hunter and Ash Paulsen to break down he changed RPGs, our memories of watch Dragon Ball, and more.  Also in this Episode: Kat is obsessed with Unicorn Overlord! Still more Final Fantasy VII Rebirth chatter! Game rentals and puzzle solving! And much more Timestamps: 00:00 - Intro 5:00 - Main Topic - Paying Tribute to Akira Toriyama 45:00 - Random Encounters 50:00 - The Tavern 1:35:00 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook Music Used in this Episode: Do Your Best! - [Breath of Fire III] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] Melancholy - [Dragon Quest VI] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you're going to mosey you might as well mosey with the best. The cast of Final Fantasy 7 has always been a fan favourite; does Rebirth give these characters more room to breathe or just a lot of filler? And what other FF cast compares to them? Kat, Nadia, and Eric discuss the best ensembles of the series and more in this character-driven episode of Axe of the Blood God! Also in this Episode: Napster Unicorn Overlord I'm a Dune, he's a Dune, she's a Dune, we're all Dunes More layoffs! Timestamps: 00:00 - Intro 3:44 - Main Topic - Final Fantasy VII Rebirth 1:00:00 - Random Encounters 1:15:16 - The Tavern 1:34:56 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook Music Used in this Episode: Do Your Best! - [Breath of Fire III] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] The Run Around Part 1 - [Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's the spoiler-free Final Fantasy VII Rebirth Spectacular! The panel has had plenty of time with Rebirth, or as I like to call it "Final Fantasy VII-3". Does it improve upon Remake? Does it stand on it's own? Do you need to play the lost mid-200s Japanese feature phone game Before Crisis to fully grasp the importance of the character of Cissnei? Kat, Nadia, Eric, and special guest Nick Limon talk about all this and more on A Very FF7 episode of Axe of the Blood God! Also in this Episode: Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree Shin Megami Tensei V Vengeance Eric's Unicorn Overlord Experience Kat's Stardew Valley Dating Recap Timestamps: 00:00 - Intro 3:04 - Main Topic - Final Fantasy VII Rebirth 1:11:16 - Random Encounters 1:22:22 - The Tavern 1:44:40 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook Music Used in this Episode: Do Your Best! - [Breath of Fire III] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] Final Fantasy VII Main Theme Jazz Arrangement - [Final Fantasy VII Jazz] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's letter tiiiiime, it's letter time!! It's everyone's favourite time of year; Letter Time! Join Kat, Nadia, and Eric as they tackle some hard-hitting questions like "what's your favourite juice?" If you'd like to submit questions for our next mailbag episode be sure to join our discord at patreon.com/bloodgodpod! Also in this Episode: Helldivers 2 What roles do the hosts like to play and why Because Nadia got high, Nadia got high, Nadia got high Timestamps: 00:00 - Intro 3:30 - Letter Time 3:44 - Levelling 14:56 - Juice 20:10 - Potion or Food? 22:24 - Shiren and Unicorn Overlooked? 27:50 - Nintendo Direct Rumors 35:12 - Minigames 42:45 - Sicko Mode 48:40 - Fav Pantheon 53:40 - Happiness 59:50 - Random Encounters 1:10:40 - The Tavern 1:27:40 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook Music Used in this Episode: Do Your Best! - [Breath of Fire III] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] The Runaround Part III - [Final Fantasy VII Remake: Intergrade] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Love is in the air; as long as the project roadmap has made allowances for it in the overall budget! Kat, Nadia, and Eric talk about the best and worst relationships in RPGs. How do you write a natural relationship in a videogame? Should relationships just be a means to an end? Will anyone bring up Sakura Wars? It's an S-rank Support Conversation on this week's episode of Axe of the Blood God! Also in this Episode: Final Fantasy VII Rebirth Demo out now! The flames of the console wars are fanned once again Do platforms even matter anymore? The Last of Us theme park She Who Became The Sun book club! Dungeon Meshi / Delicious in Dungeon Timestamps: 00:00 - Intro 10:248 - RPG Romance 49:04 - Random Encounters 1:07:32 - The Tavern 1:40:20 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook Music Used in this Episode: Do Your Best! - [Breath of Fire III] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] My Blue Sky - [Sakura Wars] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Three Musketeers, 3 Ninjas, Persona 3. Just a few examples of franchises that began with 3. And here to celebrate the remake, Persona 3 Reload, are Kat, Nadia, Eric, and special guest Kenneth Shepard! They discuss differences between the original, the perfect starting off point for players new to the series, and why there's never been a Persona 1 or 2! Also in this Episode: Vote Princess Maker 2 for the Pantheon Granblue Fantasy: Relink The Year of Shadow the Hedgehog Linda³ Again! LETS GO! YOU DONT EVEN KNOW, DUDE! Xbox drama Suicide Squad kills the Justice League and so do the Teen Titans Timestamps: 00:00 - Intro 05:20 - Persona Talk! 52:45 - Random Encounters 1:10:24 - The Tavern 1:40:20 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook Music Used in this Episode: Do Your Best! - [Breath of Fire III] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] Spring Breath - [Linda³] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Canadian chart-topping darlings BNL once said "If I had a million dollars I'd buy you a house." Unfortunately with inflation being the way it is a million dollars can hardly get you a downpayment anymore. No my friend, what you need to get anywhere in this world is wealth. INFINITE WEALTH. And Ichiban is bringing it in his latest adventure. Come join Kat, Nadia, Eric, and special guest Jesse Vitelli as they discuss the equal parts madness and heart of Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth as the onslaught of massive 2024 RPGs begins. Also in this Episode: Games starring adults of drinking age Palmer getting hit by a truck More layoffs! Palword... Tekken 8 Timestamps: 00:00 - Intro 04:48 - Main Topic - Developer Quest: RGG 54:32 - Random Encounters 1:20:32 - The Tavern 1:40:20 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook Music Used in this Episode: Do Your Best! - [Breath of Fire III] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] ATLANTICA - [7th Dragon III VFD] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You down with RGG? Yeah, you know me! From Super Monkey Ball to Infinite Wealth, our prestigious panel covers the history and key players of Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio. Eric, Nadia, and special guest Michael Higham discuss the runaway success of the Yakuza/Like A Dragon series, the charm of 1988 Kamurochō, and the role these games have played in their own personal lives and careers. Much like Like A Dragon itself, this episode is full of heartfelt sentimentality contrasted with borderline absurdist comedy! Also in this Episode: Great tattoo ideas BuT Is iT An RpG?!?!? Visions of Mana! Eric has been playing Palworld... The Art of Fare Evasion Timestamps: 00:00 - Intro 07:00 - Main Topic - Developer Quest: RGG 1:02:28 - Random Encounters 1:13:12 - The Tavern 1:26:58 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook Music Used in this Episode: Do Your Best! - [Breath of Fire III] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] Pure Love in Kamurocho - [Yakuza 0] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

2024's RPG landscape is already being defined by a handful of big titles. But those games aren't made in a vaccuum. They're made by people! People who work at studios! And those studios have names. Listen as Kat, Eric, and special guest Ethan Gach discuss the 5 biggest studios that are already shaping the present and future of RPGs. Also in this Episode: Final Fantasy V Recap! Games Done Quick! Granblue Fantasy! Timestamps: 00:00 - Intro 06:10 - Main Topic - Top RPG Studios of 2024 06:16 - CD Projekt Red 09:56 - ATLUS 13:28 - Square Enix 19:04 - FromSoftware 27:50 - Larian 54:44 - Random Encounters 57:12 - GDQ 1:02:56 - The Tavern 1:21:58 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook Music Used in this Episode: Do Your Best! - [Breath of Fire III] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] The Day Will Come (From Final Fantasy V) - [Final Fantasy XIV - Endwalker] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There are some questions we as a species will always be asking; Is consciousness inherent to our universe? Is time a construct? What cool new video games will come out in 2024? 10 hard-hidding questions will be asked of our intrepid panel and you'll hear Kat, Nadia, and Eric dole out answers like it's their job. What can we look forward to? What surprises are in store that we don't even know we want to look forward to? The Switch 2, acquisitions, the GaaS event horizon; all this and more in this interrogatory episode of Axe of the Blood God! Also in this Episode: Sonicshortergamesmeme.jpg Axe of the Blood God officially endorses Metaphor: ReFantazio for 2024 Eric has played a bunch of Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth and didn't tell us! This episode is sponsored by Factor. For 50% off head to factormeals.com/axerpgadventure50 and use code: axerpgadventure50 Timestamps: 00:00 - Intro 05:36 - Main Topic - 10 Big Questions for 2024 51:15 - Random Encounters 57:04 - Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth Preview 1:21:58 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook Music Used in this Episode: Do Your Best! - [Breath of Fire III] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] Headquarters - [Skies of Arcadia] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There's never been a more appropriate year to anticipate RPGs than this one! Whether it's "Like A", "Quest", or "Dogma 2", the Year of the Dragon is bound to bring you something you'll sink a not-insignificant part of your year into! Join Kat, Nadia, and Eric as they each talk about their Top 5 Most Anticipated RPGs of 2024 and more! Also in this Episode: Will we be getting a Switch 2 in 2024? Will the PS5 and Xbox ever feel like the current gen? Garfield? Timestamps: 00:00 - Intro 06:40 - Main Topic - RPGs We're Looking Forward To 1:25:16 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook 1:26:16 - Nadia's BONUS NOOK Music Used in this Episode: Do Your Best! - [Breath of Fire III] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] New Year's Day (2 AM - 5 AM) - Animal Crossing New Horizons Games Mentioned in this Episode: Dragon's Dogma 2 Persona 3 Reload Unicorn Overlord Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth Metaphor: ReFantazio Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines 2 Decapolice Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth Dragon Quest III HD-2D Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes Visions of Mana Final Fantasy XIV: Dawntrail Citizen Sleeper 2 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Merry Chrysler! We here at Axe of the Blood God prepared this very special episode that takes both a deeply critical and celebratory look at the nutty year that just passed us by. We had RPGs galore! Have we ever seen such bounty? New Zelda! New Baldur's Gate! New Cyberpunk...sort of! But we had troubles galore, too. Layoffs and downsizing left and right. The end of vintage game media websites and game studios. What awaits us in 2024? We dunno! But we can guarantee the Blood God will always be with you. That's what Christmas is all about. In this episode: Our Game of the Year! Zelda, Zelda, Baldur's Gate, Zelda! The Super Mario RPG remake is great! Starfield discourse that's as long and girthy as Luigi's s*****g And lots more! Music used in this episode: Tantal [Xenoblade Chronicles 2] Narshe March [Final Fantasy VI] Secret of Mana Santa art source  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Holidays are right around the corner and you know what that means? That's right! All the children who have been good year 'round gather at the local podcast to hear the wise old hosts dispense their recommendations for the year! But what's this? Mean Mr. Grinch stole aaaaaall the popular games this year! Fret not, little one. Just because mainstream gaming media hasn't covered it doesn't mean it's not worth curling up with next to the fire. In fact, just for you we've compiled a list of wonderful games no one seems to be talking about! Let Eric, Nadia, and beloved guest Reb Valentine (along with a mail-in ballot from our editor abroad, Victor Hunter) tell you what you missed while you were being a sweet angel 24/7. Also in this Episode: End of E3-gelion The Game Awards speeches that weren't Nadia's burnt-beard-filled Christmas Pit Timestamps: 00:00 - Intro 1:10:40 - Random Encounters 1:27:36 - The Tavern 1:41:52 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook Music Used in this Episode: Do Your Best! - [Breath of Fire III] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] Jeuno Starlight Celebration - Final Fantasy XI [Square Enix X'mas Collection] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sponsored by Factor It was an embarrassment of RPG riches as well as just plain embarrassment at this year's Game Awards 2023 as Keighley Fest 2023 once again brought us trailers, celebrities, and way too much Hideo Kojima. Nadia, Kat, and Eric recap everything that happened at this year's show, including the major reveals (Monster Hunter! Exodus!), the winners (Baldur's Gate 3... a lot!) and controversies (maybe don't play developers off the stage when they're trying to honor dead colleagues!). All that and more in this week's episode of Axe of the Blood God! Also in this Episode: GTA VI mania! Dragon Age gets a short reveal Nadia's Christmas Pit  Timestamps: 00:00 - Intro/Pantheon poll winner 07:45 - Game Awards 2023 Announcements, Winners, and Controversies 1:05:00 - Random Encounters 1:08:00 - The Tavern 1:26:38: Nadia's Nostalgia Nook Music Used in this Episode: Do Your Best! - Breath of Fire III A Curious Tale - Secret of Mana Maze of Life - Persona Q Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The year 2023 has been absolutely packed with RPGs, and there's always something flying under the radar. Darkest Dungeon 2 might just be one of those - a follow-up to a beloved dungeon-crawler that still feels like it hasn't had quite the same impact as its predecessor. So one of our Patreon supporters joined us this week to talk the Darkest Dungeon series and why it's worth keeping an eye on the sequel. We dive into the history, mechanics, dark humor, and gorgeous art of the Darkest Dungeon this week. Also in this Episode: Kat is starting Final Fantasy V again! Eric asks why there hasn't been a Godzilla RPG yet Nadia throws another curve ball in the Nostalgia zone Timestamps: 00:00 - Intro/Pantheon poll winner 10:45 - Darkest Dungeon talk 44:04 - Random Encounters 1:06:25 - The Tavern 1:23:48: Nadia's Nostalgia Nook Music Used in this Episode: Do Your Best! - Breath of Fire III A Curious Tale - Secret of Mana Clash on the Big Bridge - Final Fantasy V Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's the DVD commentary you didn't know you wanted! If you haven't already, now's the time to watch the movie that may have shaped RPG history more than any other. Time for L'arc en Ciel, the most bizarre performance of Steve Buscemi's career, and the Final Fantasy story that most closely resembles the works of L. Ron Hubbard! This episode is best experienced as a commentary alongside playback of Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within but also functions perfectly well as a stand-alone podcast so pick your poison and join Kat, Nadia, Eric, and Victor as we dig around Within and see what those Spirits are up to! MOVIE STARTS - 10:08 FINAL THOUGHTS - 1:48:17 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There are more Persona spin-offs than there are stars in the night sky but luckily most of them are pretty darn good! Listen as Kat, Nadia, and Eric discuss the Phantom Thieves' latest heist in Persona 5 Tactica. Even the Persona Q series gets some love! Good! It deserves it! Plus, Nadia takes us on a Geno Whirl-wind journey through Super Mario RPG. Editor's Note: Yes, Kat's microphone cuts out at a certain point. But consider this; maybe it'll be something we can all laugh about ten years from now. And besides, the solution I came up with it cosmically funny and won't bother anyone. Also in this Episode: - Final Fantasy on N64! No way! - Eric Got Through: Mellow Zone Act 1 - A social experiment involving Animalese Timestamps: 00:00 - Intros 39:28 - Random Encounters 1:20:22 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook Music Used in this Episode: Do Your Best! - [Breath of Fire III] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] Beware the Forest's Mushrooms - [Super Mario RPG] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This is Miyamoto. It's actually happening. A live action Legend of Zelda is on the way. How much faith do we have in the team behind it? What is our dream casting? And how can we talk about Love Actually instead? All these questions and more will be answered by Kat, Nadia, and special guest Alex Stedman! For what it's worth I think they missed their chance when Jonathan Taylor Thomas aged out of playing Link in the 90s but no one bothered to ask me. I also think every live action adaptation should end with a Red Hot Chili Peppers drop like the Death Note movies do. Again, no one asked me. Adaptation (2002) is really the only good adaptation anyway. Go watch that. Also in this Episode: - One Piece is good - Disney is bad - Avatar might be fine? - Baldur's Gate and Starfield. Timestamps: 00:00 - Intros 44:48 - Random Encounters 1:00:48 - Baldur's Gate Talk Begins 1:21:04 - Baldur's Gate Talk Ends, Starfield Talk Begins 1:32:00 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook Music Used in this Episode: Do Your Best! - [Breath of Fire III] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] Fairy Fountain (Pause) - [Cadence of Hyrule] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Did you know Tri-Ace was founded when the members of Wolf Team developing Tales of Phantasia grew tired of Namco's involvement and split off to create their own studio in the middle of development? And then in 2019 the mobile game Star Ocean: Anamnesis featured a crossover event with Tales, bridging the two series after nearly a quarter-century? Anyway this episode is all about the new remake of Star Ocean 2 with special guest Jada Griffen! George Yang is also supposed to be here but the best laid plans of mice and men etc. Luckily it's still a great discussion about Star Ocean's place in the genre and beyond! This episode is sponsored by Factor. Head to factormeals.com/axeRPGadventure50 and use promo code axerpgadventure50 for 50% off! Also in this Episode: - Thirsty Suitors - World of Warcraft is prepping for the next 20 years - USGamer was a really good website! Timestamps: 00:00 - Intros 04:17 - Main Topic - Star Ocean 2 R 26:00 - Random Encounters 29:04 - The Tavern 59:44 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook Music Used in this Episode: Gentle Wind - [Baten Kaitos] Do Your Best! - [Breath of Fire III] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] Affinity Love Club - [Soul Hackers] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"Darkness falls across the land. The midnight hour is close at hand." Uhhhh Persona vibes much?! The history of RPGs is inextricably tied to horror and it's the perfect time of year talk about the scariest parts of our favourite games, as well as the RPGs that are straight up capital "H" Horror. Bloodborne, Undertale, Vampire: The Masquerade and more on this hair-raisingly scary episode with your terrifying hosts Bat Scale-y, Blah!-dia Axeford, and BEWARE-ic Vamp Hell-en. Also in this Episode: - World of Horror - Slay the Princess - Class choices for Baldur's Gate III Co-op Timestamps: 00:00 - Intros 04:17 - Main Topic - Spooky RPGs 46:08 - Random Encounters 48:16 - The Tavern 1:06:34 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook Music Used in this Episode: Do Your Best! - [Breath of Fire III] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] Coffin Fetish - [Shadow Hearts] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's Letter Tiiiiime! It's Letter Tiiiime! It's a very special Mailbag episode this week as Kat, Nadia, and Eric answer questions about everything from cheesecake and boss fights to the very future of this podcast! If you want to take part in future mailbag episode,s and get a chance to have your questions answered, check out the Axe of The Blood God Discord by subscribing at patreon.com/bloodgodpod. Also in this Episode: - Long Gone Days, Super Mario Wonder, and even more from Baldur's Gate III and Chrono Trigger - Michael Keaton is great no matter what universe he's in - Nadia vs Nuns - Nature is reclaiming Kat's childhood Timestamps: 00:00 - Intros 56:08 - Random Encounters 58:00 - The Tavern 1:35:44 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook Music Used in this Episode: Do Your Best! - [Breath of Fire III] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] The Grand Duchy of Jeuno - [Final Fantasy XI] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

More like Acquisition Blizzard, heh. If you want a guest who can explain the ins-and-outs of the business side of this colossal consolidation of industry titans while also explaining why it's relevant to the culture and future of RPGs, you can't find anyone better than the one and only Reb Valentine. Listen as Kat, Nadia, and Reb discuss exactly what this means and how it will effect us all going forward, for better or worse. And maybe Kat is sort of kinda starting to enjoy some parts of Starfield? Also in this Episode: - Call of Duty yaoi - PS5 Slim - Our unslakable thirst for expanded universes and endless IP churn is merely an extension of our fear of death - In Stars and Time seems cool! - Nadia has played Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth! Timestamps: 02:00 - Intros 49:44 - Random Encounters 1:02:40 - The Tavern 1:35:44 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook Music Used in this Episode: Gentle Wind - [Baten Kaitos] Do Your Best! - [Breath of Fire III] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] Cosmo Canyon - [Super Smash Bros. Ultimate] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Everything has been leading to this. Through the battles, the story beats, and the very very attractive party members, it's time to wrap up the conversation on what may end up being the biggest "game", let alone RPG, of 2023, Baldur's Gate III. Kat has wrapped up her 100+ hour journey and the gang has plenty to say about their personal experiences. Spoiler Warning: Mango(?) Also in this Episode: - Nadia has myriad difficulties with animals - To save-scum or not to save-scum - River Dancing through Thordan Unreal - Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty also exists! - More Chrono Trigger Report Timestamps: 00:00 - Intros 51:20 - Baldur's Gate Talk Ends, Random Encounters Begin 55:12 - The Tavern 1:21:50 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook Music Used in this Episode: Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] Chaotic Dance - [Baten Kaitos] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Before NieR's depressing side quests, Quintet was giving kids lessons about the uncaring neutrality of the universe back in the 90s! Journey through the morally-grey, bleak worlds of Quintet and its adorable 16-bit veneer with host Nadia Oxford and special guests Anthony John Agnello and Scott White! Terranigma, Illusion of Gaia, ActRaiser, Soul Blazer and more in this retrospective deep dive! Also in this Episode: - Sad goats - The only podcast that has ever talked about Robotrek - Mysterious disappearances - Listen real close and you can hear Victor (your old pal from the edit bay) getting more and more frustrated no one is talking about Quintet's best game, Planet Laika Timestamps: 00:48 - Intros 1:03:12 - The Tavern 1:13:28 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook Music Used in this Episode: A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] Light and Darkness - [Terranigma] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We're back in Night City jacking into the firewalls of cyber-brains and scrapping digi-cops or whatever with the new Phantom Liberty expansion! Is this Cyberpunk 2077's redemption arc or would you be better off watching a holo-prog in your cogni-puter? I have no idea what terms they use for things in Cyberpunk but I feel like I must be pretty close. I'm sure there's a drug called like, FRAG or something. Anyway, special guest Michael Higham returns to talk with Eric and Nadia about all that and more! Also in this Episode: - Unity keeps falling down stairs - Microsoft sprung a leak - Where is P stored? - Chrono Trigger Update! Timestamps: 02:16 - Intros 05:36 - Main Topic 56:56 - Random Encounters 1:04:16 - The Tavern 1:29:52 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook Music Used in this Episode: Gentle Wind - [Baten Kaitos] Do Your Best! - [Breath of Fire III] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] My Blue Sky - [Sakura Wars] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The past week's one-two punch from Nintendo and Sony have us floored by a panoply of RPG announcements and reveals. How will we recover? As we lay there in a stupor all we can do is reflect on the choices that got us here. Someday we'll redouble our efforts and re-enter the fray. But for now, in the interim, we can do naught but ice our wounds and talk for an hour-and-a-half about the incredible games on the horizon. Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, Unicorn Overlord, SaGa Emerald Beyond, and Eiyuden Chronicle just to name a few! Also in this Episode: - If it isn't Paper Mario, you old dog, you. How long has it been? Feels like a Thousand Years! - Star Ocean: Second Story R. The 'R' stands for 'Really Good So Far'! - Unity did a big oops - Starfield, Kat has some notes Timestamps: 00:00 - Intros 07:20 - Main Topic 27:44 - FF7 Spoiler Warning 44:00 - FF7 Discussion Ends 45:36 - Random Encounters 58:32 - The Tavern 1:30:00 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook Music Used in this Episode: Do Your Best! - [Breath of Fire III] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] Town of Good Harvest - [Baten Kaitos II] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/bloodgod and get on your way to being your best self. Finally, a throwback RPG inspired by classics like Chrono Trigger! But perhaps Sea of Stars is hiding something truly special? No spoilers this episode but prepare to have your interest piqued by this very special little homage to the JRPG golden age full of twists and turns. Kat, Nadia, and Eric are joined by special guest Brenden Groom of the Pass the Controller podcast to discuss this hidden gem! Also in this Episode: - The crew finds more opportunities to throw Golden Sun under the bus! - I want shorter RPGs with worse graphics and I'm NOT kidding - The Joy of Fishing - Eric's Chrono Trigger Report - Kat's Starfield Report Timestamps: 02:08 - Intros 07:20 - Main Topic 48:16 - Random Encounters 51:36 - The Tavern 1:27:36 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook Music Used in this Episode: Gentle Wind - [Baten Kaitos] Do Your Best! - [Breath of Fire III] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] Languishing Mambo - [Sakura Wars] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/bloodgod and get on your way to being your best self. It's time to party with special guest Michael Higham as the crew talks about hotly anticipated sci-fi epic Starfield. What works, what doesn't, and do either of those things matter if you're having a nice time in Todd Howardland? Also in this Episode: -Get lost in a Sea of Stars -Maybe Ashoka is good! -Hey you, reading this. Play Ghost Trick. -How do you verbally express a backwards 'K'? Timestamps: 1:03:30 - Random Encounters 1:06:16 - The Tavern 1:30:14 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook Music Used in this Episode: Relaxing Place - [Eternal Sonata] Do Your Best! - [Breath of Fire III] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] Pirate Island - [Boktai 2] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Did you know Baldur's Gate is actually based off of a really obscure game called Dungeons and Dragons? And you play it in your head! And it makes you worship the devil! Here to discuss the dungeon mastery of Baldur's Gate 3 with Kat and Eric is special guest Mikel Reparaz of Vidjagame Apocalypse. Also in this Episode: -The Art of Save Scumming -Short King smooching -More deeply frustrating layoffs -Kat's EA Rant™ -The end of The Summer of Korra Timestamps: 41:40 - Random Encounters 44:00 - The Tavern 1:12:57 - Summer of Korra Music Used in this Episode: Do Your Best! - [Breath of Fire III] Gunmetal Action - [Wild Arms 3] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Plan ahead for the fall and pick up a new scarf because it's Nadia's time to shine with an episode all about Mega Man's OTHER foray into the world of RPGs, Mega Man X: Command Mission. Timelines get twisted, fan-favourite characters show up and then are never heard from again, and poor X and friends get Randam Hajile'd! Also in this Episode: - Nadia and David discuss writing the official Maverick Hunter Field Guide - Everyone agrees Absolute Zero and Iron Maiden are great designs - Nadia reflects on her life choices Timestamps: 56:53 - Random Encounters 1:01:20 - The Tavern 1:11:23 - Nostalgia Nook Music Used in this Episode: Cheerful Thief Marino - [Mega Man X: Command Mission] Do Your Best! - [Breath of Fire III] Irregular Battle 2 - [Mega Man X: Command Mission] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] Trajectory of Battle - [Mega Man X: Command Mission] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You don't have to go home but you CAN stay here and listen to this pretty fly panel from the Long Island Retro Gaming Expo all about the landmark year for RPGs that was 1998! Pokemon, Baldur's Gate, Ocarina of Time, Panzer Dragoon Saga, Parasite Eve and more! You'll believe in life after love once you listen to the hosts of Axe of the Blood God and Retronauts (the Armageddon and Deep Impact of video game podcasts) tell you all about the important games released that year, the cultural shifts happening underneath it all, and why 1998 is unimpeachable. Music Used in this Episode: One Week - [Barenaked Ladies] Hard Knock Life - [Jay Z] This Kiss - [Faith Hill] Somnia Memorias - [Parasite Eve] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hot (like, heat dome hot) off the heels of the wildly successful charity livestream and Final Fantasy XIV Fan Fest it’s time to talk Baldur’s Gate 3. Eric and special guest Kenneth Shepard are here to spill some preliminary beans. Plus, summer movie talk; two titans of merchandising join forces this summer with heartfelt stories touching on powerful themes to briefly take your mind off the monstrous greed of the people at the top of the industry food chain! Also in this Episode: -“We HAVE to stop talking TMNT on AotBG!” -Aquarium IS a great album -Serious trash talk -Nadia’s Fan Fest recap -Eric’s EVO recap -Kenneth’s Barbie recap Timestamps: 15:26 - Main Quest (Baldur’s Gate 3) 56:32 - Random Encounters 57:38 - The Tavern 1:24:48 - Summer of Korra 1:35:23 - Nostalgia Nook Music Used in this Episode: Main Theme - [Baldur’s Gate] Do Your Best! - [Breath of Fire III] The Legend of Korra Main Theme - [The Legend of Korra] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] Dolphin - [PlayOnline Viewer] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this week's episode we're joined by Larian Studios director Swen Vincke... very briefly. Unfortunately technical difficulties kept us from going in deep on this particular interview, but we'll have him back soon! In the meantime, special guest Len Hafer has plenty to say about her experience with Baldur's Gate 3 and more. Final Fantasy XIV has a new expansion! Kat and Eric talk about their Armored Core VI experiences Legend of Korra sure has some politics, huh? This episode was part of our special livestream benefiting Trans Lifeline in which we were able to raise more than $12,000! Thank you all so much for your generous support! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome back to Axe of the Blood God. Kat is not here for this week's episode because she headed out for San Diego Comic Con, a known slaughtering ground where Harry Potter cosplayers will take out your eye with their wands before you can even say "something something Patronus." No fear: Our good friends Ash Parrish and Kenneth Shepard are here to fill in the gap. We're talking all about character creators, from the basic three-choice templates to Baldur Gate 3's dong-and-dumplings slider. (which Kenneth has already lovingly handled.) Do you prefer building a character from the ground-up, or stepping into the boots of an established adventurer? Chime in! Also in this Episode: "Look, Smithers! Globro is coming!" Might & Magic: Clash of Heroes still rules Pikachu knows when you fart in your sleep The Empire Strikes Back this week on The Legend of Korra Being born is for suckers Timestamps: 00:00 - Intro and Main Quest (Character Creators) 47:20 - Random Encounters 49:13 - The Tavern (Thoughts about Viewfinder, Clash of Heroes, and the horror of Pokemon Sleep) 1:15:12 - Summer of Korra 1:30:35 - Nostalgia Nook/Outro Music Used in this Episode: Do Your Best! [Breath of Fire III] Antique Cowboy [Ragnarok Online] The Legend of Korra Main Theme [The Legend of Korra] A Curious Tale [Secret of Mana] A Long Fall [Final Fantasy XIV/The Primals] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's summertime, playing Zelda in your car, heading to a LAN party, and the night air is filled with wildfire smoke. Welcome to a laid back episode of Axe of the Blood God, where we just chill out and talk about associations between summer and RPGs. That means everything from the RPGs we played during our summer break to the best tropical environments in RPGs past and present. Just remember: The secret to better RPGs is more giant centipede monsters. Also in this Episode: The Microsoft/Sony/FTC drama is going, going, it's gone, it's finished, it's over. Does this mean we all get CoD on Switch, or am I misunderstanding this whole thing? FromSoftware is a masterful visual storyteller, but Nintendo's not far behind with Tears of the Kingdom's Depths Summer of Korra: Someone ate a bear The Summer of Pokemon and Puke Skeletor Timestamps: 00:00 - Intro and Main Quest (RPGs of Summer) 42:19 - Random Encounters 56:28 - The Tavern (Thoughts about Final Fantasy XVI, Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, and ExoPrimal) 1:19:20 -The Summer of Korra 1:29:50 - Nostalgia Nook / Outro Music Used in this Episode: Boys of Summer [The Ataris] Do Your Best! [Breath of Fire III] Antique Cowboy [Ragnarok Online] The Legend of Korra Main Theme [The Legend of Korra] A Curious Tale [Secret of Mana] Scars of Time [Chrono Cross] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We've got some fellow old people listening to this show (may your tubes of Voltaren be ever on sale), and I think we can all take a little comfort in the fact many of Falcom's RPGs, including the epic The Legend of Heroes saga, are about as old as us. Heroes has had a lot of time to pump out some good storytelling, including the still-celebrated Trails sub-series. But even mighty things come to an end eventually. In this episode we invite Trails fanatic Cam Hawkins to talk about the game that's bringing Sky, Steel, and Crossbell onto one stage and putting a cap on everything: Trails into Reverie. Is it a worthy conclusion to Trails, or does it try a little too hard to cram everyone in and wrap everything up? We talk about Reverie and other Trails matters, including "Where do I even start with this dang series?" (Protip: Really hard to go wrong with Trails in the Sky.) Also in This Episode: The Steam Summer Sale is on! Never forget the Battle of Walletsdeep. Baldur's Gate 3 lets you make love to bears, but will it let you throw a knife into heaven and kill with a stare? The Pokemon Company has a "dead dove, do not eat" moment when they open their Pokemon forums and are forced to lock them within hours. In Summer of Korra, we learn that Toph rocks the unwed wine mother role, so to speak. Pac-Man deserves that deep puncture wound I administered. Timestamps: 00:00 - Intro/Trails Into Reverie 48:24 - Random Encounters 51:10 - The Tavern (Discounted RPGs at the Steam Summer Sale, Logitech G-Cloud Review, The Pokemon Company tries to train feral children how to use message boards with mixed, mostly pornographic, success) 1:11:08 - Summer of Korra 1:21:21 - Nostalgia Nook Music Used in this Episode: Do Your Best! [Breath of Fire III] The Pub [Final Fantasy Tictacs] The Legend of Korra Main Theme [The Legend of Korra] A Curious Tale [Secret of Mana] Silver Will, Gold Wings [Trails in the Sky] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's summer! That means it's time to grab a burger off the grill, fish a cold one out of the cooler, lie back on a Muskoka chair (ask your local Canadian), and talk about the year in RPGs so far. 2023's been disgustingly busy with huge releases like Final Fantasy XVI, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, Diablo IV, and so much more. Your time on this planet is finite, so listen and decide which of these billion hour games are worth playing, and which should be punted onto the backlog that God will unfurl at your feet when it's time for your soul to be judged. Also in this Episode: It's fun to fumble around in TOTK's dark depths! Wait, we mixed up "fun" and "terrifying" again. Did you know a Sharpie isn't sufficient for redacting words in a legal document? Sony does now. We kick off Book 3 coverage in Legend of Korra If you're a Sonic fan, listen to The Cult. And if you're not a Sonic fan, listen to The Cult. Just play Ys. Timestamps: 00:00 Intro/2023 In Review 49:36 - Random Encounters 1:02:31 - Side Quest (Rain Code, BattleBit Remastered, Sonic Adventure 2) 1:10:07 - Summer of Korra 1:23:04 - Nostalgia Nook/Outro Music Used in this Episode Do Your Best! [Breath of Fire III] The Legend of Korra Main Theme [The Legend of Korra] A Curious Tale [Secret of Mana] Sealed Time [Ys: The Oath in Felghana] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After what seems like forever and a day, Final Fantasy XVI has finally arrived on the PlayStation 5. Except, it hasn't really been forever, has it? Game director Naoki Yoshida runs a tight ship, to be sure--but will a timely release be enough to make Final Fantasy fans fall in love with the series' first serious attempt at telling a story with Witcher levels of grit and grime? Friend of the show and VG247 writer Alex Donaldson is here to talk to us about this much-anticipated game of thrones (and Chocobos). Also in this episode: You're going to have grandkids before you see Elder Scrolls VI What's deader than dead? E3's prospects The rumored "SNES RPG remake" isn't Chrono Trigger, but it's in the same vein, kind of... A 50-foot Korra the Explorer epic beam struggles her way into Book 3 If Alf, Alvin the Chipmunk, and Miss Piggy tell you to stop doing drugs, keep at it. You're already too far gone; just get your money's worth. Timestamps 00:00 - Intro/Final Fantasy XVI Review 1:04:25 - Side Quest (Nintendo Direct/Super Mario RPG Remake) 1:10:32 - Random Encounters 1:15:12 - Summer of Korra 1:25:12 - Nostalgia Nook/Outro Music used in this episode: Let's Go Down the Wine River [Super Mario RPG] Do Your Best! [Breath of Fire III] The Legend of Korra Main Theme [The Legend of Korra] A Curious Tale [Secret of Mana] Weapons Factory [Super Mario RPG] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I, Nadia, take over hosting duties on Axe of the Blood God this week, which is apropos for an episode that's about Satan. That's right, we review the long-awaited Diablo IV with our very good friend and frequent Blood God guest, Len. There's a lot riding on Diablo IV, as Activision Blizzard is currently weighed down by troubled times that are largely of their own making. How does it play? How's the story? How does Act-Bliz's fascination with "always online!" sit with Diablo IV's dark, gothic feel? Is the Druid class the best? (Yes.) Stay awhile and listen. Also in this episode: The Fire Emblem game that started everything (in the West) is coming to the GBA via NSO. Roy's our boy! Something something Microsoft Activision Blizzard acquisition deal stalled Things are heating up in The Legend of Korra, but they're also cooling down because it's pretty chilly at the poles A Gameboy is just a phone that only plays Pokemon Walk forever in the light of the Crystal, Kittyboy Tighthole Timestamps: 00:00 - Intro/Diablo IV 38:27 - Random Encounters 45:39 - Summer of Korra 58:12 - Nostalgia Nook/Outro Music used in this episode: Do Your Best! [Breath of Fire III] The Legend of Korra Main Theme [The Legend of Korra] A Curious Tale [Secret of Mana] Ark [Persona 5] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On a very special episode of Axe of the Blood God ("special" meaning "very off schedule"), Kat, Nadia, and Eric talk about everything they saw at Prince Geoffry's Summer Game Fest 2023. Kat and Eric actually attended the show, so they have amazing insight about the games on display--especially the RPGs. And oh, were there ever a lot of RPGs. That Xbox deluge is late, sure, but rest assured it's on its way. And it's bringing Starfield with it. Also in this episode: Oh my God Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth exists Oh my God Metaphor: ReFantazio exists Sandland looks great, because Toriyama is the King of Character Design Korra breaks up with her cop boyfriend, lol Kat and Nadia will be at the Long Island Retro Gaming Expo on August 11 through 13. Be there or be square (enix) Timestamps: 00:00 - Intro/Summer Games Fest 48:20 - Starfield  58:16 - Best of Show 1:03:30 - Summer of Korra 1:20:00 - Nostalgia Nook/Outro Music used in this episode: The Legend of Korra Main Theme [The Legend of Korra] A Curious Tale [Secret of Mana] The Poet and the Muse [Alan Wake] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The summer is getting started, and we've got no shortage of games ahead. But before we look at all the games waiting to steal our time, we've got speedrunner Moonblazewolf, fresh off their run of Chained Echoes at SGDQ 2023! We talk all that plus the news of the day and the start of Book 2 in our Summer of Korra. Also in this episode: Street Fighter 6 has all of us in its clutches Big, beefy ships Mindflayer worms! In your mind! Tenzin's GOAT status in Korra Timestamps: 00:00 - Intro / SGDQ talk w/ moonblazewolf 25:45 - Random Encounters 29:56 - Summer 2023 RPG Preview 1:20:06 - Summer of Korra 1:35:46 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook / Outro Music used in this episode: Do Your Best! [Breath of Fire III] A Curious Tale [Secret of Mana] Champions of the Sky [Chained Echoes] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Howdy, friends! We've got a treat that'll make y'all happier than a fox in a henhouse! This week, we have an in-depth discussion about Octopath Traveler II, an excellent choice from our $100 Patron and special guest, The Black Stones! The talk avoids major story spoilers, but there's still tons to go over because Octopath Traveler II is a pretty special game. Its battle system is unique and highly engaging, its music is to die for, and its story is masterfully written and seamlessly interwoven into the game's mechanics. Shucks, I guarantee this episode'll have you eatin' better than a sow in an apple field!  Also in this Episode The PlayStation Showcase sure did happen Should we drop numbers from Final Fantasy game titles? No. But let's grouse about it anyway A new Dragon Quest Monsters game is in development because sometimes the world is OK Our watch of The Legend of Korra reaches the end of Book One Game Genie! It was rad! It was waaaay far out!! And so on Timestamps 00:00 - Intro 06:21 - Octopath Traveler II 56:48 - Random Encounters 1:02:45 - The Tavern/What We're Playing 1:25:05 - Summer of Korra 1:41:55 - The Nostalgia Nook/Outro Music Used in this Episode Do Your Best! [Breath of Fire III] Octopath Traveler Main Theme [Octopath Traveler II] The Legend of Korra Main Theme [The Legend of Korra] A Curious Tale [Secret of Mana] Partitio's Theme [Octopath Traveler II] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is big. You just won't believe how vastly, hugely, mind-bogglingly big it is. I mean, you may think Ocarina of Time is a big game, but that's just peanuts compared to Tears of the Kingdom. That's why Kat, Nadia, and Eric are assembling once again to talk about their progress in Nintendo's Dodongo-sized hit. The discussion yields some minor spoilers (as well as childlike enthusiasm), but they're minor. Turns out playing Tears of the Kingdom for a solid week hardly makes a dent in this veritable wall of content. Also in this Episode: Sony is hosting a PlayStation Showcase. If we're good, we might get information about FF7R. We have a release date for Pokemon Home compatibility with Scarlet and Violet! Oh wait, no we don't. Do Cassette Beasts bleed magnetic tape? Controller Discourse™ Victoria Day Special: Cool Firework Mishaps Discussion Time Stamps: 00:00 - Intro 02:45 - The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom 42:40 - Random Encounters 45:25 - The Tavern/What We're Playing 1:02:05 - The Summer of Korra 1:15:30 - The Nostalgia Nook/Outro Music Used in this Episode: Chasm Theme [The Legend of Zelda: TOTK]] Do Your Best! [Breath of Fire III] The Legend of Korra Main Theme [The Legend of Korra] A Curious Tale [Secret of Mana] Horse Ride [The Legend of Zelda: TOTK] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kick back and relax as Field Studies returns for a guided audio commentary track through fan-favourite Shadowbringers dungeon, The Twinning. Sharlayan Dropouts host Victor Hunter takes you through the history of the Crystal Tower, the cascading effect that delays in the mid-2000s had on Square that are still being felt today, and the crystalline metaphor at the heart of this tragic-but-hopeful tale. Spoiler level: Yellow. The Twinning quest is available at the conclusion of Shadowbringers. Music: A Long Fall - Final Fantasy XIV Shadowbringers Full Speed Ahead - Final Fantasy XIII Eternal Wind - Lightning Returns Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gosh, it feels like The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom will never get here. This wait is torture–hold on, you're saying Tears of the Kingdom is out now? Oh wow. Holy crap. Uh…let's start talking about the biggest game of 2023! (So far.) We brought in Tom Marks from IGN, who reviewed the game alongside Polygon's Mike Mahardy. We have a pile of discourse about what Tears of the Kingdom does differently from its direct predecessor, Breath of the Wild, as well as what it does better…and worse. (Gasp!) Our talk is spoiler-free, so jump right in like a half-naked blonde guy leaping down into Hyrule from an impossible height. Also in this episode: Rumblings of a new Nintendo handheld. We'll probably see it in 2024, but when exactly? Dragon Age: Dreadwolf is likewise looking at a 2024 release Summer of Korra goes into episodes 4, 5, and 6. Long live pro-bending! If hearing bells out of nowhere means you're losing your mind, what does hearing the Zelda theme out of nowhere entail…? Music used in this episode: Do Your Best! [Breath of Fire III] The Legend of Korra Main Theme [The Legend of Korra] A Curious Tale [Secret of Mana] The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Main Theme [The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

All aboard, gatcha sickos. Honkai: Star Rail is now available to download. It's totally free, just like miHoYo's preceding game, Genshin Impact, but you can bet the awesome-looking characters in the banner events will wear your resolve down to a nub. But there's more to Star Rail than gatcha, right? After all, it's a full-bodied RPG with hours of content. Does it actually feel like a traditional turn-based adventure, or is strangled by its own sales pitch? We talk about Honkai: Star Rail's launch and beyond with avowed Genshin fan, Good Vibes Gaming's Daniel Alba. Also in this episode: Kat's digging deep into Final Fantasy V Nadia plays Final Fantasy XIV's NiER raid. Everything turns out great Xbox boss Phil Spencer is sowwy Redfall is not very good :3 Korra discourse gets underway with episodes 1 through 3 Nadia is picking up Tears of the Kingdom in the same store she picked up Ocarina of Time, because traditions must be honoured and the old gods must be sated Music used in this episode: Do Your Best! [Breath of Fire III] Login Music [Honkai: Star Rail] The Legend of Korra Main Theme [The Legend of Korra] A Curious Tale [Secret of Mana] Main Zelda Theme Orchestrated [The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hey Microsoft! How's that Activision Blizzard deal coming along? …Oh. That bad, huh? Well, we're sure everything will be fine.  Psst. That's a lie, dear listeners. We actually brought Polygon's own Nicole Carpenter to discuss the myriad ways this gargantuan acquisition attempt is going poorly for the Big M. And whatever's bad for Microsoft is probably bad for a lot of western RPG studios. Buck up. It's not all doom and gloom. We also talk about: Hokai: Star Rail finds immediate success with its patented Anime Chicks and Dudes in Space sales method. Might & Magic: Clash of Heroes is getting a deserved Switch remake Goodbye Waypoint :(  The Summer of Korra begins! How a remake of a historic Square Enix game can potentially teach you how to make napalm the way your grandma used to (Well, not anymore) Music used in this episode: Do Your Best! [Breath of Fire III] Xbox Series X start-up sound [Microsoft/Xbox] The Legend of Korra Main Theme [The Legend of Korra] A Curious Tale [Secret of Mana] Floating Continent [Final Fantasy VI Pixel Remaster] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's another Class Conscious episode of Axe of the Blood God, and we're going after the class that was elected "Most Likely to Steal your Heart and your Wallet" in high school: the Thief. Thieves have been part of the RPG landscape forever. These lithe, sticky-fingered tricksters excel at jacking stuff from enemies (and innocents) while avoiding traps and setting down a few of their own. Gosh, what a scummy bunch, right? Not exactly. Thieves do their secret work for myriad reasons, with myriad methods. We talk about all of it (along with special guest Lucas White), from the boomerang-flinging thieves of Dragon Quest to Final Fantasy VI's roguish Locke Cole, who is totally not thinking about Rachel right now. Also in this episode: Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster discourse Advance Wars 1+2 Reboot Camp is out, and war is over Live A Live is coming to PC, PS4, and PS5 and you should play it The Pantheon Thunderdome is upon us! Who will survive the cull? The Legend of Zelda: A P.I. Had to Rescue This Manga Music used in this episode: Do Your Best! [Breath of Fire III] Locke Cole's Theme [Final Fantasy VI Pixel Remaster] Torn from the Heavens [Final Fantasy XIV] A Curious Tale [Secret of Mana] Forged in Crimson [Final Fantasy XIV] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Once upon a time, Microsoft opened up its mouth and swallowed the near entirety of the western RPG market. Fallout, Elder Scrolls, Fable--their home is on the Xbox now. That's great, but we have to ask: Where are all these RPGs that are supposed to be dropping from your well-stocked loins, Microsoft? Starfield is finally secured for a release this year, yes, but we don't have much information on what's supposed to follow. Is the dream corroding from the inside? Kat, Nadia, and Eric talk all about what's going wrong with the Xbox Series X/S's RPG scene, and how it might be patched up. Also in this episode: Nintendo's banger of a Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom trailer FFXVI's also-banger trailer of Clive going Eikon-on-Eikon This week's Pantheon re-evaluation: Fire Emblem: Three Houses The Worlds of power Nintendo books make reading fun and cool, kids! Honest! Oh God, just open a book. Please. Music in this episode: Do Your Best! [Breath of Fire III] Xbox Series X start-up sound [Microsoft/Xbox] Torn from the Heavens [Final Fantasy XIV] A Curious Tale [Secret of Mana] Antique Cowboy [Ragnarok Online] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We're taking a breather this week, but fret not: for those who couldn't make it to our panel at PAX East 2023, this week we're uploading the audio from it! Kat, Nadia, and Eric were joined by friends of the show Michael Higham and Scott White to host a fantasy draft, making the perfect RPG in the process. We touch on many topics, including: The value of a villain Truly memorable game soundtracks And yes, what is an RPG? All that and more in our special panel episode. A huge thanks to everyone who came out in person, and we hope to host even more in the future! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ding, dong, E3 is dead. Which E3? We don't know. The once world-famous video game trade show has endured so many trials and tribulations, it's hard to way which iteration is getting axed. Let's just say E3 2023 was supposed to be the show's big comeback, and it's getting cancelled instead. Kat, Nadia, Eric, and Reb are all E3 veterans, so they find lots to chew over here. What hobbled this year's show? What's next for the E3 brand, if anything? Which RPGs were bolstered by E3 hype back in the olden days? Also in this episode: Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom looks "hype af," as the kids say. When you fish with Dredge, you fish with Satan. When you Slay the Princess, you also fish with Satan. We have our new Pantheon game! Which Zelda title are we playing this month? Happy [Japanese] Anniversary, FFVI! Do you name your RPG characters? And if not, what's wrong with you? Music used in this episode: Do Your Best! [Breath of Fire III] Torn from the Heavens [Final Fantasy XIV] A Curious Tale [Secret of Mana] FFVI: The Impresario OCREmix [Jake Kaufman, Tommy Pedrini] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kat, Eric, and Nadia are all together in the same room for PAX East! There they share their adventures through PAX East and GDC, their thoughts on the Diablo 4 beta, and much more. Also in this episode  It's Morbin Time Nadia is very confused by Fire Emblem Engage's story The gang try to come up with their best RPG-themed cocktails and it goes... poorly? We reveal the next Pantheon vote! Unfortunately, no post show this week owing to lack of a stream and being on the road. We'll be off next week, but we'll be posting the panel audio along with plenty more content to come. Want merch? Check us out at shop.bloodgodpod.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on Axe of the Blood God, Nadia, Kat, and Eric bid sayonara to the best RPGs on the Nintendo 3DS and the [snide snicker] Wii U. Nintendo is yanking the plug on the 3DS and Wii U digital storefronts very soon, but there's still time to thumb through some must-buy recommendations. Radiant Historia! Persona Q! SMT IV and Strange Journey Redux! Maybe they'll end up on the Switch somewhere down the road, but there's no way of knowing. Best to gorge yourself now while the kitchen door's still open. Also in this episode: Paranormasight is another amazing Square Enix game that will probably slide into obscurity because there's no way it's going to sell the seventy bojillion copies Square Enix probably expects it to sell Want to know why Tears of the Kingdom is $70? Doug Bowser has an answer Bloodborne is up for a Pantheon revisit. Does it deserve to—yeah. Yeah, of course it does. What a question. RIP Lance Reddick. :( Music used in this episode: Do Your Best! [Breath of Fire III] Silence of the Forest [Bravely Default/End Layer] Torn from the Heavens [Final Fantasy XIV] A Curious Tale [Secret of Mana] Schwarzweiss [Atelier Iris 3] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Axe of the Blood God has now officially hit 400 episodes, and what better way to celebrate than return to the root of it all and ask: just what is an RPG? Kat, Nadia, and Eric are joined by The CRPG Book editor Felipe Pepe to discuss what makes a virtual role-playing game different from all the others. Other topics include: We're still on the Octopath Is Zelda an RPG? A revisit of one of our past Pantheon contestants Nadia's strange, strange trip Music used in this episode: Do Your Best! [Breath of Fire III] A Curious Tale [Secret of Mana] Mines [Arcanum: Of Steamworks and Magick Obscura] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Final Fantasy XVI Preview w/ Ash Parrish and Michael Higham Why do they call it "FINAL Fantasy" when there are sixteen--oh God please put the serrated knives away, I'm just joking. This week, we invited Verge's Ash Parrish and freelance writer/regular guest Michael Higham to talk about their hands-on impressions of Final Fantasy XVI alongside our own Eric. How does it look? How does it play? How does it sound? And what about Producer Naoki Yoshida's controversial remarks about the term "JRPG?" We waddle right into it all, like a herd of Chocobos into a mud pit. Also in this episode: Octopath Traveler 2 rules As does Fire Emblem Engage Elden Ring DLC will get here when it gets here Re-examining Chrono Cross in the context of the Pantheon Bar Mitzvahs are crunk Music used in this episode: Do Your Best! [Breath of Fire III] Heavensward title screen [Final Fantasy XIV] Awakening trailer music [Final Fantasy XVI] Torn from the Heavens [Final Fantasy XIV] A Curious Tale [Secret of Mana] Hopes and Dreams [Undertale] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

All of life's paths intersect and intertwine, so it was inevitable the Axe of the Blood God would walk down Octopath Traveler 2's twisted roads. This week we're joined by Bloomberg's Jason Schreier, who was less than enthused about the original Octopath Traveler. How does its sequel fare? Let's just say a game studio can learn a lot in five years. Also in this episode: The Last of Us on HBO will steal your emotions and make you its slave Nadia is watching a cat destroy the world (in Dragon Ball Super) Is Mass Effect still deserving of being in the Pantheon? Nadia's new saga: Sex, Death, and Zip Ties--the Life of a Pigeon Music used in this episode: Do Your Best! [Breath of Fire III] Intro theme [Octopath Traveler 2] Partitio's theme  [Octopath Traveler 2] Torn from the Heavens [Final Fantasy XIV] A Curious Tale [Secret of Mana] Partitio's theme 2 [Octopath Traveler 2] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Axe of the Blood God listeners often come to us for RPG recommendations, and we're happy to oblige (with help from our good friend Rebekah Valentine). We're especially happy when said recommendations are specific, even weirdly so. We'll admit up front that we sadly don't have a suggestion for anyone who likes RPGs featuring naked elves throwing Cool Whip at dragons, because we live in a stifled world. Need a PokeClone recommendation that you won't bounce from, though? We got you covered. Unlike the naked elf in our dream game. Also in this episode: A brief review of Like a Dragon: Ishin! Nadia's bopping along to Theatrhythm Final Bar Line Golden Sun rises again to enflame Reb's retro dreams This week's Pantheon revisit: Does Terranigma still deserve to be recognized as one of the greatest RPGs of all time? 1 "yes" = 1 dead goat husband Music used in this episode: Do Your Best! [Breath of Fire III] Torn from the Heavens [Final Fantasy XIV] A Curious Tale [Secret of Mana] Underside World [Terranigma] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

February is truly when the northern hemisphere gets winter-weary, so hurrah on Nintendo for lighting our lives with another Nintendo Direct presentation. And what an unexpected presentation it was. While we knew we were going to get another trailer for The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, we also got some real surprises in the mix. An Etrian Odyssey HD collection? A new Fantasy Life?? Game Boy games, Game Boy Colour games and Game Boy Advance games??? A veritable well of retro RPG goodness is now open for business. Kat, Nadia, and Eric discuss it all. Also in this episode:  Baiten Kaidos re-releases are coming, too!  Advance Wars Re-Boot Camp finally has a release date after being stalled by the Russian invasion of Ukraine. War is truly over if you want it Does System Shock 2 still deserve to be ranked in the Pantheon of the greatest RPGs? Listen to us debate the topic, meat sack Oh no, wizard game discourse We have a very nice, very civilized conversation about powerful game music on the Nostalgia Nook. Nothing explodes. (Not while the mic is hot, anyway) Music used in this episode: Do Your Best! [Breath of Fire III] Torn from the Heavens [Final Fantasy XIV] A Curious Tale [Secret of Mana] Forged in Crimson [Final Fantasy XIV] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s the battle of the babes this month on Sharlayan Dropouts as we go wall-to-wall to figure out which hotties buff our hosts to max potency. That’s right, we’re ranking the Top 12 stone foxes, the veritable mamacitas, of Final Fantasy XIV. Listen as Victor Hunter, Nadia Oxford, Mike Williams, and Eric Van Allen tell on themselves for your enjoyment. Find out if your favs made the list! And if they didn’t, head on over to patreon.com/bloodgodpod to get Discord access and yell at us about it there! Spoiler Level Orange: This is a scattershot discussion that touches upon a few elements from a several different storylines including Endwalker 6.3 and Save the Queen, though light on actual detail and context. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Madness? This...is...no, no, I'm not going to finish this. Drag me, I deserve it. Just make sure to eviscerate me while listening to our awesome conversation with Robert Boyd, the maker of This Way Madness Lies. Do you like Shakespeare? Do you like PC Engine Magical Girl RPGs? Do you like Little Shop of Horrors references? This Way Madness Lies might just be your digital soulmate. Also in this episode: Jammin' with Noctis and the Boys in Final Fantasy Theatrhythm's demo Ike Fights for His Friends™ No Nintendo, Sony, or Microsoft at E3 2023. Soooo... Pantheon of the Blood God revisits Final Fantasy 8. Is Squall still cool? !*!*!~wElc0mE to Da WAREZ Z0NE~!!!! Gr33ts go to my homies xxx_s0L1d_Sp1K3_xxx and +++CrashhMan_69+++!!!!!!!!!!   Music used in the ep: Do Your Best [Breath of Fire 3] Title Screen [This Way Madness Lies] Transonic Gravity [Sayonara Wild Hearts] Torn from the Heavens [Final Fantasy XIV] A Curious Tale [Secret of Mana] The Man With the Machine Gun [Final Fantasy VIII]   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When you think of the "RPG Golden Age," what comes to mind? The SNES, certainly--who can deny the brilliance of Chrono Trigger? (Except for Eric Van Allen, who has been banished to the Naughty Step to think about what he said.) But what if we're living in the Golden Age of RPGs right here and right now? Between the Switch and PS4, RPG fans are feasting like never before. Special guest and valued Patron The Black Stones joins us this week as we weigh up both eras. Also in this episode: Oh no, BioWare :( Are you OK, bestie? Alcryst from Fire Emblem teaches us all to hate ourselves Pocket Card Jockey: Ride On brought us right back to the track Should Skies of Arcadia remain in the Pantheon? With apologies to Sesame Street Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Eric had to shoulder the entirety of the show last week because Kat went skiing and Nadia had the audacity to catch COVID, but the gang is well and truly back together this week! Writer and WaPo editor Alyse Stanley joins the crew to talk about Fire Emblem Engage, a.k.a Aquafresh Teen Dragon Force. Just kidding. The Blood God loves the toothpaste hero, and we love Fire Emblem Engage in general. How much? Plug this week's show into your ears and find out. Also in this episode: Yes, you can get married in Final Fantasy XIV Industry layoffs, oh God why Kat is playing Crisis Core. GONGAGA We re-visit Tales of Vesperia. Is it Pantheon material, or nah? That one time Nadia found a naked lady in her Super Nintendo game Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kat and Nadia are both out this week, so Eric shifts into a different gear to chat about the mech-fantasy RPG Chained Echoes with Friends at the Table's Austin Walker! The pair discuss 2022's late-in-the-year surprise hit and why it's captured their hearts, as well as their Steam Decks. All that, plus: A primer on the ongoing Wizards of the Coast / OGL news Who would you want making a Hunter x Hunter game? A surprise end-of-pod guest appearance All that and more on this week's episode of Axe of the Blood God. Check it out! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Put on your Hawaiian shirt and cargo shorts because it’s tourist season in Eorzea! In this episode of Sharlayan Dropouts we’re taking you on a guided tour. Either listen as a standalone episode or follow along in-game for the Ultimate Immersive Gameplay X-perience!™ This month we’re looking at the tragic history of The Lost City of Amdapor and the brain fungus, abstract liminal spaces, and fun facts about the Tokyo Metropolitan Government that await us there. Spoiler Level Green: Assuming you’ve made it the point where you can enter The Lost City of Amdapor (lvl 50) then you have nothing to fear but toxoplasmosis. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Not a single person is ready for 2023, but guess what! It's happening anyway! Time is kind of a dick like that. So Kat, Nadia, and Eric just steel themselves this week and take the full-bodied plunge back into work. That's why this week's episode is refreshing, but there's also a small chance it'll stop your heart. This week's main topic of discussion comes from one of the Blood God's most devout $50 Patreon tier disciples, Knot Hollow, who wants to know what the next decade of RPGs will look like. Well, the Blood God crew has takes, guesses, and ideas. More games like Disco Elysium? Perhaps. More games like Genshin Impact? Maybe. How about Elden Ring? Almost certainly. Come back in a decade for the opportunity to point and laugh about how wrong Kat, Nadia, and Eric were. Also in this episode: Fire Emblem: Engage isn't out yet, but it's already generating takes (and not just about the heroes' Aquafresh toothpaste hair) Pocket Card Jockey lives! It has not been put down like a spent racehorse after all! One billion years later, Nadia's finally watching Archer It's the birth of a new segment! The Blood God team goes back and re-evaluates former Pantheon entries and candidates! This week: Will Lufia 2 be granted mercy? Very special thanks to Knot Hollow for their support, and for the support of all the Blood God faithful out there! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hello and welcome to Year 3 of the Axe of the Blood God! It's going to be an absolutely massive year for RPGs, and that means big things for the podcast. Here's just some of what we have planned as we move through 2023: An expansion to Youtube! We had a lot of success with our live show in 2022, and we'd love to expand that video component where possible. Expect more updates on this soon! Merch! We're working on a new store and a host of merch to go in it! We expect this to go live in February. The Pantheon Revisit! We'll be revisiting some of our most controversial Pantheon entries (and exclusions) from the first two years of the podcast to start 2023. It'll all culminate in a Pantheon revisit that will potentially see some RPGs make it in while others are removed. It should be chaotic!  Axe of the Blood God Episode 400! Wow, it's almost here! PAX East panel! We're going to be at PAX East in March! Stay tuned for more info! Spring of Korra! We'll be diving into our watch of Legend of Korra just as soon as we finish off Winter of Wick! March Madness, charity streams, D&D, Sharlayan Dropouts, and more! Naturally you can expect all of our usual content, including a charity stream, another D&D episode, a March Madness bracket centered around western RPGs, and more! That's on top of all of our usual coverage in what should be a very busy year for RPGs. From Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom to Starfield to Baldur's Gate 3, we're going to have tons to discuss in 2023! Thank you as always for your generous support, and we look forward to another great year of podcasting on Axe of the Blood God! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Happy New Year! 2023's launch also marks the launch of new RPGs. Like, lots of RPGs. This is going to be a busy, busy year. Kat, Nadia, and Eric go over their most anticipated titles for the upcoming 365 days, and also take a few stabs at industry predictions. Take score while you listen, then throw every wrong prediction back in the team's face when the year comes to a close! It'll be fun! More fun than scrabbling around for edible rat bits, or whatever else waits for us this year.  Thank you for your continued support of Axe of the Blood God! When it all goes downhill, you'll be the first ones we share our edible rat bits with.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The year is coming to a close, and so we're looking back on all the role-playing games 2022 delivered. Kat, Nadia, and Eric are joined by the Sharlayan Dropouts Mike and Victor to help break down all the happenings in the RPG world this year, including: Square Enix's fall blunderbuss of RPGs The magic of Elden Ring Can an RPG truly have it all in Xenoblade Chronicles 3? All this and more, including one last holiday Nostalgia Nook/Pit. We hope all our listeners and backers are having a wonderful holiday time, and we'll see you soon in the new year for a fresh batch of RPG goodness. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kat has returned to the Axe of the Blood God, and all she got was a nasty cough. Well, that and memories that'll last a lifetime, or something like that. She's come back home just in time to enjoy a very chill episode of the show, which delves into reader mail. In other words…it's letter tiiime, it's letter tiiime! Kick back and listen as Kat, Nadia, and Eric answer questions about games they initially loved, then cooled down on (and vice versa), which games they regret not playing in 2022, what they're looking forward to in 2023, and lots more. Also in this episode: The Final Fantasy Pixel Remasters are coming to consoles! There's a deluxe box set! Aaaand it's gone Chained Echoes is pretty baller Dragon Quest Treasures has no idea what it's doing, but that's part of the fun If your Christmas party doesn't involve poisoning yourself with homemade bucket wine, don't call it a Christmas party In the Post Show The gang continues to chill as they discuss the movies Kat watched on the plane on her way home from Amsterdam. The discussion quickly slides into all-out movie discourse, which means a hot takes about Pixar movies and Christopher Nolan. God bless us, everyone. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Fans of Ivalice, the history of visual novels, and the works of Jean-Luc Godard might just find something to sink their teeth into this episode. Victor explores the many twists and turns in the surprisingly robust history behind Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn’s Summoner weapon, The Veil of Wiyu in this first episode of a recurring series that aims to shed light on the real-world inspirations behind the weaponry of Final Fantasy XIV. If you want to see more dedicated episodes like this be sure to let us know at @SharlayanPod or @BloodGodPod on Twitter or on the official Axe of the Blood God Discord server available to $1 subscribers at patreon.com/bloodgodpod. SPOILER LEVEL GREEN: Not a spoiler to be seen. A few references to some contextless plot details for various games in the series but nothing to keep you from enjoying this episode regardless of where you are in your journey.Music: Down the Up Staircase - Final Fantasy XIV: Heavensward Save / Load Screen - Final Fantasy Tactics Protagonist’s Theme - Final Fantasy Tactics Trisection - Final Fantasy Tactics Not Alone Jazz Arrangement - JAZZ - FINAL FANTASY - Fear After - Final Fantasy Tactics Green Eyed Love - Mayer Hawthorne James Bond Theme (From Dr. No) - Monty Norman Under the Imperial Flag - Sakura Wars 3 I feel like I’ve heard that one before - Final Fantasy Tactics Sources: Marathon Gaming Retrospectives - https://tinyurl.com/y5evjjbt Final Fantasy Wiki - Sound Novels - Oeilvert - https://tinyurl.com/ze3zd8vx Hardcore Gaming 101 - The Tale of Oeilvert - https://tinyurl.com/2p9mrzb7 FFT Sound Novel Let’s Play by Nekomakine - https://tinyurl.com/msnvnupe Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The universe has survived another bout of Geoff Keighly's Game Awards, where the real awards are the memes mined from cynical adults' Twitter timelines. Does that work grammatically? Eh, whatever. Point is, Geoff Keighly threw a party and now there are new RPGs to talk about. Which Nadia and Eric do with the help of very special guest Lucas White.  Another important topic of discussion: The overlooked RPG gems of 2022. A whole heap of games dropped way too late to get that sweet, sweet December recognition, and the Blood God crew does its best to give them a nice boost. Also in this episode: The real treasure in Dragon Quest Treasures are the Slime friends we made along the way. Holy crap! Hades II is coming! Holy crap! Chained Echoes is really good! A riveting tale of Sonic the Hedgehog and election fraud. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on Axe of the Blood God, friend of the pod Len joins Kat, Nadia, and Eric as they talk about one of this year's most popular RPG sub-genres: The strategy game. From turn-based to real time, from revision to brand-new IP, there was a lot going on with the strategy genre this year. And, uh, there still is! The year's not quite over! How does one find the time and money to love them all? Also in this episode: Pokemon Scarlet and Violet Takes Speaking of strategy games, how's Marvel's Midnight Suns? World of Warcraft: Dragonflight is a pleasant flight so far What's the worst game you ever got as a gift? POST SHOW Len joins the Axe of the Blood God's weekly ride into hell via the post show. There's a hodgepodge of discourse this week, including "Hangovers suck," and how each of us would fix the Game Awards. Half the awards are currently belted out in the thirty seconds a nominated developer might theoretically get up to use the can, so maybe putting a stop to that kind of thing is a first step. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For the June 2021 edition of Pantheon of the Blood God, Kat, Nadia, and Eric take a deep dive into the first game of the Mass Effect series! They trace its origins as the follow-up to Knights of the Old Republic, delve into its soundtrack, and pick its five best moments. Then comes the big conversation: Is Mass Effect worthy of inclusion in the Pantheon of the Blood God? Pantheon of the Blood God is a series devoted to diving into the very best RPGs of all time. You can find full catalog on our Patreon at https://patreon.com/bloodgodpod or on our website at https://bloodgodpod.com/series/pantheon-of-the-blood-god/! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hop on the airship back to your hometown and listen to your favourite Final Fantasy XIV podcast, now on the free feed! The Dropouts bring a very special guest to family dinner, author of Fight, Magic, Items, Aidan Moher, to discuss the impact FFXIV has had on the JRPG and MMO genres over the years. Plus it’s the first annual Holiday Gift Guide; our hosts give you the perfect gift ideas at any budget for the FFXIV fan in your life. And stick around for a very special segment that will no doubt be a recurring fan-favourite for years to come… SPOILER LEVEL GREEN: Rest easy, slowpokes, there’s not a spoiler to be found for malms. A perfect episode to jump into regardless of where you’re at in your journey! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on Axe of the Blood God, IGN's Rebekah Valentine joins Kat, Nadia, and Eric as they step into Pokemon Heaven courtesy of Pokemon Scarlet and Violet. Wait a second. Maybe it's more like Pokemon Hell, since Scarlet and Violet are, uh, really buggy. Do the glitches, bugs, and body horror put a damper on what's otherwise the most ambitious and compelling Pokemon game to date? Well, no, but also yes. Also in this episode: Nadia and Reb talk farming with Harvestella Sonic creator Yuji Naka is in hot water with the law The next-gen Witcher 3 update is coming soon, bless Autumn of Avatar goes to the theatre POST SHOW Kat is forced to bail early on this week's post show. This is a good thing, as Nadia, Eric, and Reb immediately load up a random Pokemon generator and declare which Pokemon are good eating, and which are best not consumed. That means Kat's soul still has a chance to ascend to heaven, whereas the rest of the crew already has reserved seating in the pits of Gehenna. Available to the Stars of Destiny tier and above! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on Axe of the Blood God, Digital Foundry's John Linneman joins Kat, Nadia, and Eric for a detailed discussion about Star Ocean: The Divine Force. It's been a Canis Major's age since Square Enix did anything with Star Ocean, and the Blood God crew is ashamedly not up-to-date on the series. That's why John is here. (Also, it's because he's cool). Is the new game everything Star Ocean fans have been waiting for? Find out. Also in this episode: Don't sleep on Harvestella, it's pretty dang good Mass Effect 5 exists Mazeltov to Ash Ketchum for becoming the Galar Region champion with the aid of a Pokemon that's too horrifying to exist Nadia made friends with some crows, then accidentally pissed them off with pistachios Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on Axe of the Blood God, Kat, Nadia, and Eric lose themselves to chaos. The smash launch of Marvel Snap dang near caused something to snap in their brains, it seems. Or maybe they're just jumpy because Twitter—a major source of networking and promotion for countless writers and pocasters (ahem)—is now Satan's own toilet. It's a great show, regardless. Sometimes it's healthy to just sit back and see where the toboggan ride takes you. Also in this episode: Final Fantasy XVI has some…issues regarding racial diversity Harvestella is out, and by gosh, it's chill as heck Whispers on the wind speak of a new Deus Ex game in development Autumn of Avatar: No character voiced by Mark Hamill can possibly be evil Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices